New Delhi: Speaking in Lok Sabha in reply to President’s address to parliament, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today said Lok Tantra(democracy) is not gifted to this nation by Nehru. It is tradition of this country.

‘It is unfortunate that you believe Bharat was born on 15th of August 1947. It is like believing that this nation didn’t exist prior to that. It was told that Nehru and Congress gave democracy to this country. I want to ask when you talk about democracy. You must be knowing this nation had democracy under Buddha parampara, Lichchvi rule. This Congress and Nehru have not brought democracy here. There was a system of voting and deliberation and discussion existing here.’

Modi reminded opposition party’s leader Kharge about Jagatguru Baseswar who was from Karnataka and 12th century’s Anubhav Mandapam.

‘Entire village’s decision was taken democratically. Women’s presence was essential while taking decision. Democracy is in our vein, it is in our tradition. We had Gana Rajya system 2,500 years ago. This was democratic traditions. Agreement, disagreement were valid,’ Modi said.

Modi reminding Congress about Mani Shankar Aiyar’s remark said, ‘You discuss democracy? Whether Congress president’s election was election or crowning ceremony?Congress party leader who was minister in previous government led by Manmohan Singh had said commenting on Congress party’s internal election that Jehangir was succeeded by Shah Jahan and Shahjahan was succeeded by Aurangzeb without election, so same happened in Congress party.’

Modi said, ‘I want to ask which democracy are you discussing when your former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi landed on Hyderabad airport and an elected scheduled caste chief minister had come to receive him on airport, and he was insulted? You attribute democracy to Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi and insult a Dalit Chief Minister openly? You are ought to be questioned on this. Telugu Desam party and NT Ramarao born from that burning insult. Ramarao had to leave film industry and come to public to serve the people.’

Continuing the attack over Congress’s claim of bringing democracy to country, the Prime Minister said,’in this country section 356 was applied on over 90 occasions and the state governments were uprooted. What did you do with Akali Dal in Punjab? What did you do in Tamil Nadu, in Kerala? You think your family is democracy? You know Congress party had as presidential candidate selected Neelam Sanjiv Reddy and he was stabbed in the back and party’s official candidate was defeated and he too was from Andhra. You speak about democracy?’

‘Dr Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister, his cabinet took a decision, Congress party office bearer called press conference and torn cabinet decision before media. It doesn’t look nice when Congress teaches us Lok Tantra,’ the PM said.

Modi also recalled injustice made to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1940s. He said,’when election took place for leadership, out of 15 Congress committee,s 12 elected Sardar valabhhai while three went for NOTA, but leadership was not given to Sardar Patel. What lok trantra was that? Nehru was placed instead of Sardar. If Sardrar was first Prime Minister,a portion of Kashmir would not have been with Pakistan.’

DeshGujarat