NEW DELHI: Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on the motion of thanks to the President's address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took on the opposition saying that in a democracy threats do not work. This nation did not bend during the Emergency also, he said.

Taking a dig at the Congress, he said: “When the Congress was unwilling to credit others for India’s freedom, how can they credit others for India’s development.” He went on to list NDA-I programmes that the UPA “repackaged” to counter the Congress charge that the Centre was repackaging previous government’s schemes. However, he added: “We do not feel that just because we are in the treasury benches we know it all. Everyone has to work together.”

Hitting out at critics of the BJP, he said it was a pan-India party “from Leh to Kanyakumari, Kutch to Arunachal, from Christian-majority Goa to Sikh-strong Punjab.”

Dismissing criticism that the government was for corporates, he said: “When we build toilets in schools, is this for corporates? Are soil health cards for corporates? Are Swachch Bharat Abhiyan and Jan Dhan Yojana for corporates?”

Highlights of the PM's speech

*I had said from the ramparts of the Red Fort. Every government, every PM has contributed to taking this country forward: PM Narendra Modi

*When we build toilets in schools, is this for corporates? Is soil health cards for corporates?

*This Swachhata Abhiyaan, is this for corporates? Can we not provide basic cleanliness facilities to people. Is Jan Dhan about corporates

*No threat was issued to any opposition party on the issue of black money

* On a lighter note, PM seeks chair's protection from the 'experienced' people in the Rajya Sabha (followed by laughter in the house)

*Both Ghulam Nabi ji and Anand ji spoke about officers being transferred. Do we remember what happened in 2004?

*In 2004 the Cabinet Secretary was removed, foreign secretary was made without regarding seniority. You insulted governors and removed them.

*Railways and Highways, they are both under the government but one did not approve project of the other. We changed that.

*Development can happen through 'Neeti' and 'Reeti'

*Those with an imported ideology got to serve in West Bengal for 30 years. What happened there.

*To increase jobs, we have to give impetus to Make in India and infrastructure.