Hope you go higher

New Delhi: Replying in the Lok Sabha on motion of thanks on President's Address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi came down heavily on the Congress saying the main Opposition party has lost connect with the masses.

Modi said that the Congress and its leaders had "risen so high" that they "could not see the ground". "I wish you go even higher," he said, drawing laughter from lawmakers.

"Our aim is to remain closer to the people at the grassroots and strengthen them. We don't want to grow taller like you but remain connected with roots.

Don't want to disconnect with masses," he said. Invoking Emergency, Modi said the nation's soul was crushed on June 25, 1975. "A few people were constantly asking during the debate - Who did it? Who did it? I want to ask them - today is 25th June.

Who imposed the Emergency? Who trampled over the spirit of the Constitution, gagged the media and bullied the judiciary? We can't forget those dark days," Modi said triggering thumping desks from treasury benches.

He went on to attack the Gandhis accusing them of ignoring the contributions of leaders like PV Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh.

"People outside the family don't get recognition. Did those in power from 2004 to 2014 ever talk about the good work of Atal ji? Did they ever speak about the good work of Narasimha Rao Ji? In this Lok Sabha debate the same people did not even speak of Manmohan Singh Ji," Modi said.

On Monday, speaking on the floor of the House, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury mocked the BJP and compared Modi to 'gandi naali'.

He said the saffron party won general election because Modi was a 'very big salesman' and the Congress couldn't gain grounds as it could not market its products.

The Prime Minister was present in the House when Chowdhury made these comments.