Prime Minister Narendra Modi today slammed the Opposition for not listening to replies to their own questions and accused them of running away, as Opposition MPs walked out of Rajya Sabha during the PM’s reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address.

The Opposition, led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, walked out after Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar denied Kharge permission to intervene during the Prime Minister’s speech.

The walkout was triggered by PM Modi’s remark targeting former Congress chief and Rajya Sabha MP Sonia Gandhi. He said, “These people are used to running the government on auto pilot and remote pilot. They don’t believe in working, they just know how to wait.”

The BJP has often accused Sonia Gandhi of controlling the Manmohan Singh government from behind the scenes.

“But we leave no stone unturned in hard work. We would step up what we did in the last 10 years. Considering what our dreams are, these 10 years were an appetiser. The main course has started now,” the Prime Minister said.

The Opposition demanded that Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, be allowed to speak. Kharge also requested the Chairman for an opportunity to intervene.

“We want to put forth our views, please,” the 81-year-old said.

Calling the Opposition’s conduct inappropriate, Dhankhar said, “I strongly condemn unparliamentary practice, please take your seats.”

PM paused his speech and said, “Mr Chairman, the country is watching. Those spreading lies do not have the guts to listen to the truth. They cannot sit and listen to the answers to the questions they raised. They are insulting the Upper House, its traditions. The people have defeated them in every way and they don’t have any other option other than shouting in alleys.”

Dhankhar then admonished Opposition MPs and said their conduct was “agonising”.

“I gave the Leader of the Opposition the opportunity to speak without disruptions. They did not leave the House, they left decorum. They did not turn their backs to me, but to the Constitution. They did not disrespect us, they disrespected the oath they have taken. There cannot be a bigger disrespect of the Constitution. I condemn their conduct,” the Rajya Sabha chairman said, adding that he hopes the Opposition MPs will “introspect” and return to the path of duty.

Meanwhile, PM Modi intensified his criticism of the Congress by referring to the Emergency, countering the Opposition’s Constitution campaign. “I say with all seriousness that Congress is the biggest opponent of the Constitution.”

PM Modi said that those who opposed Constitution Day are now waving the Constitution in Parliament.

Last month, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and several other opposition MPs waved copies of the Constitution during the oath ceremony of newly elected lawmakers.

“I can recall the time when I said in the Lok Sabha that we would be celebrating November 26 as Constitution Day… I am amazed that the people who are now jumping with the copy of the Constitution had then objected to it, saying what was the need to bring Constitution Day when January 26 was already there,” he said.

The PM said people voted for the NDA as they well aware that only “we can safeguard the Constitution”.

“Our Constitution works as a lighthouse, gives us directions. Its spirit and its words are also very valuable for us,” PM Modi said.