President's address compilation of poll slogans: CPI-M

CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury Tuesday termed the president's address to the joint session of parliament a "compilation of election slogans" of the BJP.

"The president's speech is a compilation of all slogans of BJP's election campaign. You can also rehash the election manifesto, but how would you achieve what has been promised? That has been missing," the Communist Party of India-Marxist said during a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the motion of thanks to the president's address.

"No prioritisations have come, it is just a declaration of intent," he said.

Participating in the debate, AIADMK leader V. Maitreyan urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the issue of Sri Lankan fishermen.

"Now that we have a strong government, I would urge the prime minister to do something about the issue of Tamil fishermen. Every time an incident happens we write a letter, then some fishermen are released... this goes on and on. A permanent solution to this problem must be found," he said.

The Trinamool Congress urged the government to set up the Rural Infrastructure Mission to build bridges and roads.

"The government must talk about how their policies reach the poor. Second, they must ensure unity in diversity. The government must ensure economic stability," Trinamool member Derek O'Brien said.