PM Modi criticised Congress and Rahul Gandhi over their approach to the Constitution and democracy, while highlighting fertiliser subsidies, rising agricultural production, farmers’ welfare and the government’s efforts to transform Indian farmers into agricultural entrepreneurs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp attack on the Congress party and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of selectively invoking the Constitution and treating democratic values as their personal property. He also highlighted the achievements of the BJP-led Union government in agriculture, farmers’ welfare and the growth of allied sectors.
Addressing the issue of democratic principles, PM Modi alleged that certain opposition leaders frequently invoke the Constitution for political purposes while failing to uphold its spirit. Taking an apparent dig at Congress leaders, he remarked that some people carry the Constitution as though it were tucked inside their pockets and behave as if democracy belongs exclusively to them.
“Nowadays, some people pull out the Constitution as if it is tucked away in their pockets and democracy is their personal property,” the Prime Minister said, accusing such leaders of remaining intoxicated with power.
Recalling his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, Modi referred to an incident involving a government-affiliated institution named after a former Prime Minister. He claimed that the organisation had once ranked Gujarat as the best-performing state in the country.
However, he alleged that the then Congress-led Central government intervened and instructed the institution to obtain prior approval before publishing such reports.
“The government told them, ‘This will not do. You must obtain our approval before publishing any such report,'” Modi said.
Questioning the Opposition’s commitment to democratic values, he argued that those who now lecture others on democracy had themselves acted in ways that raised questions about their respect for democratic institutions. He further criticised what he described as an enduring attachment to power among certain opposition leaders, even after leaving office.
Moving beyond political criticism, the Prime Minister highlighted the Centre’s efforts to reduce the financial burden on farmers, describing agricultural welfare as a major priority of the BJP-led government.
Modi said nearly Rs 16 lakh crore had been spent on fertiliser subsidies to ensure that farmers could access essential agricultural inputs at affordable prices. Explaining the subsidy mechanism, he noted that a bag of urea costing approximately Rs 3,000 in international markets is made available to Indian farmers for less than Rs 300.
Highlighting India’s achievements in agriculture and allied sectors, the Prime Minister said the country had emerged as the world’s largest milk producer, crediting the success of the White Revolution and the contribution of farmers.
According to Modi, milk production has increased by 70 per cent over the past decade, while egg production has grown by 90 per cent. Honey production has also recorded substantial growth, rising from approximately 80,000 tonnes to 1.5 lakh tonnes.
He further noted that India is now the world’s second-largest producer of wheat, cotton, vegetables and fish. Horticulture production has also increased significantly, rising from around 280 million tonnes to more than 350 million tonnes.
The Prime Minister said these achievements demonstrate the growing productivity and resilience of Indian farmers and the expanding strength of the country’s agricultural economy.
He also highlighted the role of agricultural scientists in developing modern equipment and technologies aimed at reducing cultivation costs and making agricultural activities, including sowing and harvesting, easier for farmers.
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Emphasising the government’s broader agricultural vision, Modi said the objective was not merely to support farmers as food producers but to transform them into ‘krishi udyamis’ or agricultural entrepreneurs.
He added that initiatives promoting value addition at the source of production were being undertaken to help farmers secure better returns from their produce.
The Prime Minister’s remarks combined criticism of the Congress over constitutional and democratic issues with an emphasis on agricultural development, government subsidies and efforts to strengthen farmers’ incomes.
