Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing it of damaging India's international reputation and alleging that “Dimagi Naxals” had hijacked the party's thinking, leaving it unable to function as an effective Opposition.
Addressing the NDTV World Summit, Modi criticised the Congress over its political approach, alleging that it was prioritising its political interests over the country's achievements and global standing. His remarks came amid a political confrontation over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Congress-led protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
“While the world is searching for a new order, some people are dreaming of disorder in India,” Modi said, accusing the Congress of attempting to tarnish India's reputation abroad and seeking foreign intervention. Taking an apparent dig at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, he questioned how long the party would continue to stake the nation's interests to launch its “failed product”.
The Prime Minister alleged that the Congress was preventing other Opposition leaders from raising legitimate concerns against the government by creating disruptions.
“Those who want to present their points against the government in a legitimate democratic manner find their voices drowned out by the noise of Congress,” he said.
Escalating his criticism, Modi claimed that ideological extremists had taken control of the Congress's thinking. He alleged that those who once caused destruction in forests had now infiltrated the party and were working towards the country's ruin.
Modi also accused the Congress of prioritising its political dynasty over India's progress and achievements. He said the party was turning the country's strengths, development and institutional achievements into targets of political confrontation to shield its leadership from repeated failures.
The Prime Minister further claimed that senior Congress leaders were aware of the problems within the party but remained silent despite their dissatisfaction.
“This family has become a burden on the Congress party. Even senior elders within the party realise this,” he said, alleging that the party's conduct was harming genuine critics of the government and weakening democracy.
Modi also accused the Congress of disrupting Parliament and preventing younger Opposition MPs from expressing their views. He alleged that the party was keeping one leader in the spotlight at the expense of other Opposition figures.
He further criticised the Congress for derailing protests aimed at highlighting administrative shortcomings or seeking institutional reforms, describing such actions as detrimental to democratic functioning.
The Prime Minister called the Congress “parasitic”, alleging that its approach was preventing other Opposition leaders from strengthening their political standing.