Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp critique of the Opposition on Thursday, suggesting that certain leaders operate under an "intoxication of power" even while out of office. Addressing the Bharat Kisan Conclave in New Delhi, the Prime Minister remarked that these individuals believe the nation’s Constitution and democracy are contained within their own pockets.
While he did not name specific individuals, the comments were widely seen as a swipe at Congress and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. The Prime Minister suggested that this perceived sense of entitlement persists regardless of whether these leaders are currently serving in government.
During his address, the Prime Minister recalled an incident from his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. He alleged that when Gujarat was ranked as the top-performing state in an economic assessment conducted by an institution named after a former Prime Minister, those in power in Delhi at the time pressured the researchers. According to the Prime Minister, the central government officials demanded that researchers seek their approval before publishing any future reports because they could not accept the state’s positive reputation.
Shifting focus to the agricultural sector, the Prime Minister asserted that the past decade marked the first period since Independence where the sector recorded annual growth exceeding 4 per cent. He described agriculture as the foundation of the country's culture and tradition, stating that building a 'Viksit Bharat' requires modernising farming practices and empowering farmers to become agricultural entrepreneurs.
The Prime Minister also cited World Bank data to claim that nearly 50 crore people have moved out of poverty over the last 12 to 13 years. He noted that the decline in poverty was particularly significant in rural areas, benefiting small farmers and agricultural labourers.
Key facts
- The Prime Minister spoke at the Bharat Kisan Conclave held in New Delhi on Thursday.
- He claimed the agriculture sector has seen over 4% annual growth over the past ten years.
- A cited World Bank study suggests 50 crore people exited poverty in the last 12 to 13 years.
- Modi alleged that past central governments pressured researchers to seek approval before publishing economic rankings.
Why it matters
The Prime Minister’s remarks underscore the government's push to frame agricultural modernisation and farmer self-reliance as essential pillars for achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047. By contrasting his administration's focus with the record of previous governments, the Prime Minister is positioning his economic policies as the driver for rural poverty reduction and national growth.
Background
Earlier in the week, during a post-Diwali meeting with journalists at the BJP headquarters, the Prime Minister spoke on the target of a developed India by 2047. He suggested that the nation could reach this goal by consistently fulfilling smaller, incremental objectives, comparing the resolve to the freedom movement's pursuit of 'Poorna Swaraj'.
Source: Times of India, News18
Comments