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 IST

PM Modi ends his speech.

18:51 IST

PM Modi talks about one India, great India.

18:46 IST

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

18:43 IST

18:40 IST

Sanitation coverage in the rural areas has increased: PM.

18:40 IST

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

18:37 IST

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

18:36 IST

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

18:35 IST

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

18:32 IST

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

18:30 IST

Let us keep institutions above politics: PM.

18:30 IST

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 IST

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

18:22 IST

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 IST

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 IST

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

18:20 IST

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 IST

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

18:10 IST

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

18:10 IST

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

18:05 IST

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 IST

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

18:03 IST

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 IST

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 IST

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 IST

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

17:57 IST

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

17:56 IST

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

17:55 IST

PM Modi rakes up Wanchu Committee report on corruption.

17:55 IST

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 IST

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 IST

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 IST

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 IST

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

17:47 IST

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

17:47 IST

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

17:46 IST

PM's speech in the Rajya Sabha has begun.