New Delhi, February 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, criticizing the Congress party‘s governance style as one characterized by delays and inefficiencies. He remarked that they only understand outdated models of governance.
PM Modi stated, “I want to share something—before I was born, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel envisioned building dams on the Narmada River. The concept was solid, but after Sardar Patel’s passing, Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation stone. I inaugurated it when I became Prime Minister. This reflects Congress‘s approach.”
He highlighted that during Congress’s tenure, a project estimated to cost 900 crores ballooned to 90,000 crores. Speaking on the President’s address proposal in the Rajya Sabha, he noted that many districts were neglected, leaving millions without basic needs. These areas continued to deteriorate, and often, officials were assigned to these districts as a form of punishment.
PM Modi emphasized that his government has changed this narrative. He mentioned the appointment of promising young officials to these districts, giving them three years to make an impact. He pointed to Bastar in Chhattisgarh, which is now gaining national attention for its development, with villages celebrating the arrival of buses for the first time.
He provided further context, recalling that before his birth, Sardar Patel had planned the Narmada dam. After Patel’s death, Nehru initiated the project, and it was only under his leadership that it was completed. Modi recounted his own experience as Chief Minister of Gujarat, where he undertook a hunger strike for three days to secure approval for the Narmada Sardar Sarovar Dam.
He criticized Congress for announcing projects for political gain that remained unfulfilled, citing the example of a railway line in Himachal Pradesh that was never designed during their rule. He also referenced the Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway line, which had been stalled for nearly three decades until his government completed it.
The Prime Minister remarked that Congress lacks the intent to implement plans effectively. He mentioned the Bogibeel bridge project in Assam, which was delayed for years but was completed under his administration, significantly benefiting the region.
He concluded by stating that the Congress party‘s outdated planning model is ineffective, and they remain unaware of the changes taking place. Modi also addressed the Trinamool Congress (TMC), urging them to reflect on their governance, which he described as increasingly ineffective, leading to a bleak future for the people of West Bengal. He criticized the pressure being placed on courts to protect illegal immigrants, questioning how the youth could forgive those infringing on their rights.