Congress demands apology, BJP highlights Modi’s achievements

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi completing nine years in office, the Congress party has demanded an apology for what they consider a “betrayal” of the people. They posed nine questions to the Prime Minister on various issues, including rising prices, unemployment, national security, and social harmony. The Congress also released a booklet titled ‘Nau saal, Nau sawaal’ and suggested that the government should observe this day as ‘Maafi Diwas’ (Apology Day).

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his dissatisfaction with the Modi government, stating that it had snatched away the employment opportunities of millions of youth. Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of building its foundation on false promises and the suffering of the people. The Congress leaders raised critical issues during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, and the nine questions were based on those concerns.
Jairam Ramesh, the party’s general secretary in-charge of communications, high lighted the failures of the Modi government during its nine-year tenure. He criticised the rebranding of previous UPA schemes, accused the government of corruption and cronyism, and questioned its handling of national security, social harmony, and economic disparities. Ramesh demanded answers from the Prime Minister and criticised his silence on pressing issues. In response, the BJP highlighted the achievements of the nine years of the NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. BJP president J.P. Nadda claimed that India had witnessed all-round development and inclusive growth during this period. The party emphasised the government’s commitment to equity and opportunity for all citizens, as well as its use of technology and digital tools for transparency and governance.

The BJP credited the Modi government with a paradigm shift in public service delivery and the implementation of government schemes using the “JAM” trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile). They emphasised the successful elimination of corruption through initiatives like the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and Aadhaar authentication. The party also mentioned various welfare schemes and their impact on empowering marginalised groups and economically weaker sections of society.

The BJP highlighted infrastructure projects such as the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the Mahakaal Lok projects, and the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya to underscore the government’s commitment to preserving India’s cultural heritage. They praised the government’s handling of external and internal security, economic management, and efforts at cultural conservation.

Ravi Shankar Prasad, a former minister and prominent BJP leader, countered the Congress’s questions with official growth figures. He criticised the Congress for spreading lies and exhibiting a pathological hatred toward Prime Minister Modi. Prasad refuted allegations related to COVID-19 mismanagement, the lockdown, the state of the economy, price rise, and farmer-related issues. He presented data to support the BJP’s claims of economic growth, inflation control, agricultural reforms, and manufacturing achievements.
Prasad also defended the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and cited the success of Direct Benefit Transfers and the growth of India’s fintech market. He argued that infrastructure development and digitization efforts had generated employment opportunities. Prasad mocked the Congress by recalling corruption scandals that occurred during their tenure.
The political clash between the Congress and BJP highlights the contrasting narratives surrounding the nine-year tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While the Congress accuses the government of failures and betrayals, the BJP emphasises achievements in various sectors. The demands for an apology and the nine questions posed by the Congress reflect their dissatisfaction with the current administration, while the BJP asserts that the country has witnessed inclusive growth and development under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.