The young Congress General Secretary said irrespective of what happens in the confidence vote, the MPs should think of the ‘big picture’ of how India can impact upon the world rather than thinking about how the world impacts India.

Gandhi showered praise on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for showing ‘tremendous courage and confidence’ by realising the problem of energy deficiency in the country and working for its solution.

In the same light, he praised former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, saying he ‘also saw the problem (of energy deficiency) and worked for its solution’.

While talking about Vajpayee's role, the Congress heir apparent addressed the BJP benches and quipped : "ispe taali mariye, ispe to taali mariye (at least, cheer at this)."

"There is a problem of energy security. We all need to solve it by working together," Gandhi said in his speech during the debate on confidence motion in Lok Sabha which he delivered in two parts as some BSP members disrupted it over the alleged poaching of MPs.

As the House, including his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka in visitors' gallery, listened with rapt attention, he made the case for the nuclear deal, saying ‘we must never, never ever be guided by the fear, fear of the unknown’.

Gandhi, occupying one of the back rows, began his speech by making a point repeatedly " I will speak here as an Indian first and not as a Congressman."

The Congress General Secretary said irrespective of what happens in the confidence vote, the MPs should think of the "big picture" of how India can impact upon the world rather than thinking about how the world impacts India.

In comments that surprised the BJP benches, Gandhi praised former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying he "also saw the problem (of energy deficiency) and worked for its solution".

While talking about Vajpayee's role, the Congress heir apparent addressed the BJP benches and quipped: "ispe taali mariye, ispe to taali mariye (at least, clap for this)."

Injecting some humour, the ebulient RJD leader and Railways minister Lalu Yadav had a dig at the Left parties saying they were in a "state of depression."

Lalu said the prime minister had the courage to bring a trust vote and chided the opposition for not daring to bring a no-confidence motion against the government.

BSP members created a ruckus during Rahul Gandhi's speech over alleged "threats of imprisonment" to their leader Mayawati in the CBI case against her if the party failed to back the government in the trust vote.

Brandishing copies of a document, puportedly the CBI affidavit in the disproportionate assets case against Mayawati, BSP MPs, led by Brajesh Pathak, made certain allegations against the government, which were inaudible in the din.

Emphasising that the nuclear deal would go a long way in eradicating poverty by increasing energy resources, Rahul Gandhi said the hands of the country's scientists were at present tied because there is lack of fuel, investment and technology.

Amid intermittent thumping of desks by the ruling benches, the Congress leader said "it does not matter which government runs this country. Many governments will come. We should stop being worried of how the world will impact us and step out and see how we are going to impact the world."

He said the nation of over one billion people, mostly youth, was "brimming with confidence" and "we should start to think like a big country, powerful country."

Noting that the country was at the crossroads, Gandhi linked the nuclear issue to the IT and telecommunication revolution brought about in 1980s and 1990s.

"Very few believed at that time that India would ever become a global player in IT and telecom (sector). Today, we see the revolutionary impact computers and telecommunication had on our country," he said.

Gandhi said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had identified the opportunity to meet energy shortages.

Apparently referring to the Left contention that the nuclear deal would not add much to the energy production, he said it is not a matter of two per cent etc but the "big picture" was whether India could become a global power."