New Delhi, Feb 14 (DC): Prime Minister Narendra Modi took potshots at Congress president Rahul Gandhi over the Rafale issue and made a strong pitch for electing a majority government in national interest, as he addressed the 16th Lok Sabha for the final time on Wednesday.

Mr Modi said the House did not witness any earthquake, an apparent reference to claims of Rahul Gandhi that his revelation on Rafale would create tremors.
Taking a swipe at Mr Gandhi, who was not present in the House at that time, the Prime Minister referred to the Congress president’s hug and “winking” episode, saying it was a new thing he witnessed as a first time member of Parliament.

“We heard that there would be a earthquake. The five-year tenure is coming to an end but we did not witness any earthquake,” he said, on a day the much-awaited CAG report on the controversy-hit Rafale deal was tabled in Parliament.

“Kabhi hawai jazah ude. Bade bade logo ne hawai jahaz udaye. Lekin loktantra aur Lok Sabha ki maryada itni oonchi hai ki earthquake ko bhi pachha gaya aur koi jahaz bhi utni oonchi par nahi ja paya (They tried to fly aeroplanes but our strong democracy and the dignity of Lok Sabha did not allow it or any earthquake),” he said.

He referred to the incident when Congerss presiden Rahul Gandhi hugged him and winked after returning to his seat in July last year.

“Pahli baar mujhe pata chala ki gale milna or gale padne mein kya antar hota hai. Ye pahli baar mujhe pata chala. Pahli baar... aankho se gushtakhyo wala khel bhi pahli baar iss sadan mein dekhene ko mila (I realised the difference between embracing someone and imposing oneself... the insolence refle-cted through the eyes.”

He India’s self confidence had increased and the country’s ranking on various parameters has seen improvement. He said India suffered globally for long due to fractured mandates. But now it is taken seriously in the global arena because of the majority government, he said.