PM Modi's speech in Rajya Sabha: As it happened

Perhaps avenging former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's strident criticism of the note ban, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a surprise attack on him.

Pic courtesy: www.narendramodi.in

Delhi:  Rajya Sabha witnessed a major chaos on Wednesday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that only his predecessor Manmohan Singh could teach the art of taking bath with the raincoat on.

The Congress reacted sharply to the comment and staged a walk out from the House.

PM Modi made the comment while responding to the debate on on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address.

Following are the highlights of the PM's speech - 

08 February 2017

18:53 PM

PM Modi ends his speech.

18:51 PM

PM Modi talks about one India, great India.

18:46 PM

There is a need for behavioural change in the country: PM.

18:43 PM

18:40 PM

Sanitation coverage in the rural areas has increased: PM.

18:40 PM

I want to congratulate the media, they have furthered the message of Swachh Bharat and created so much awareness: PM.

18:37 PM

I was surprised that people made fun of the Swachh Bharat Mission also: PM.

18:36 PM

We have done a lot to empower the women: PM Modi.

18:35 PM

Our government has done major work in the area of governance: PM Modi.

18:32 PM

There is no other PM except me who has given credit to previous PMs and governments, says PM.

18:30 PM

Let us keep institutions above politics: PM.

18:30 PM

Attacks on the party I belong to, our government, on me are understandable but why was the RBI dragged into this. It was not required: PM.

18:23 PM

People should refrain from casting aspersions on the RBI, says PM Modi in RS.

18:22 PM

Anand Sharma ji was asking why are you spending crores on Digital tech. Not a single extra penny was spent in development of BHIM app: PM.

18:22 PM

Behavioural changes are needed for cashless economy. These changes take time: PM Modi.

Jyoti Basu in 4th Sept, 1972 said in LS that Indira Gandhi government is based on black money, for the black money and to the black money: PM.

I expected SitaramYechury to support us on note ban, but I was wrong: PM in Rajya Sabha.

18:21 PM

PM Modi attacks Congress for walkout, says if they breach decorum, they should have courage to listen to the response too. 

18:20 PM

There was so much said about what is wrong with the nation, perhaps they were giving a report card of their own record: PM.

18:11 PM

People who are opposing note ban will one day understand its benefits, says PM.

18:10 PM

Congress MPs stage a walkout in Rajya Sabha over PM Modi's remark on former PM Manmohan Singh.

18:10 PM

Uproar in Rajya Sabha over PM's remark on Manmohan Singh.

18:05 PM

In the last 30-35 years, Dr Manmohan Singh has had a direct contribution to India's economy. : PM Modi.

Ek bhi daagh nahi laga un par? Bathroom mein raincoat pehen kar nahaane ki kala sirf Dr saab(MMS) hi jaante hain, adds PM Modi. (No one knows the art of bathing inside bathroom wearing a raincoat better than Dr Manmohan Singh).

18:03 PM

Why is this running commentary going on?, asks Venkaiah Naidu to Opposition during PM speech in RS.

18:03 PM

You quote foreign economists, I can quote 10 of them on the fact that such an action hasn't been taken in the world ever. Worlds' economists don't know parameters to assess it. What India did will be a case study for economists worldwide: PM. 

18:00 PM

For the first time, a horizontal divide was visible. Mood of the people completely different from mood of politicians: PM.

Government and people of this country were together on the issue of note ban, adds PM.

17:59 PM

There is no parallel of this massive decision (of demonetisation) in this world. This can be a huge case-study for the world: PM.

17:58 PM

There's a direct link between terror funding and black money, says PM. 

17:57 PM

But we should not forget that there have been attempts to loot banks after note ban: PM.

17:56 PM

About 700 Maoists surrendered after demonetisation and this number is increasing. Shouldn't this make us happy: PM.

17:55 PM

PM Modi rakes up Wanchu Committee report on corruption.

17:55 PM

Former bureaucrat Madhav Godbole in a book wrote that in 1971 Indira Gandhi ji was advised by then FM to demonetise, but she rejected idea: PM.

You (Anand Sharma) are showing so much zeal, why were you quiet till now? Why did you not sue Madhav Godbole?, asks PM Modi in RS.

17:52 PM

There've been efforts before too. But there's always scope for improvement. After all, how long we'll hide our problems under carpet: PM.

17:51 PM

We will have to be tough on those who are cheating the system. When we do that, the hands of the poor will be strengthened: PM.

17:51 PM

We will have to be tough on those who are cheating the system. When we do that, the hands of the poor will be strengthened: PM.

17:48 PM

Corruption has adversely impacted the aspirations of the poor and the middle class, says PM Modi.

17:47 PM

The fight against corruption and black money is not a political fight. It is not to single out any particular party: PM.

17:47 PM

Several members have shared their views and there was considerable discussion on demonetisation: PM.

17:46 PM

PM's speech in the Rajya Sabha has begun.