NEW DELHI: While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday lauded 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, describing it as a period marked by a “remarkable transformation” in Indian politics, the opposition parties sharply criticised the Centre shortcomings across multiple key areas, accusing it of failing to deliver on several important fronts.Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi latched on the Mumbai railway accident to attack the government and accused it of “selling dreams of 2047.”“11 years of Modi government = no accountability, no change, only propaganda. The government has stopped talking about 2025 and is now selling dreams of 2047. Who will see what the country is facing today?” Rahul wrote on X.He added in another post: “The 11 years of the Modi government have been full of humiliation, violence, and discrimination against Dalits, Adivasis, backward classes, and minorities. The conspiracy to institutionally make them second-class citizens and keep them away from the mainstream is continuing.”
‘Wasted 11 years rubbing the ink of dictatorship’
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that the “Modi government has wasted the last 11 years rubbing the ink of dictatorship on every page of the Constitution.”“In the last 11 years, the Modi government has caused severe damage to Indian democracy, the economy, and the social fabric,” Kharge said.“BJP-RSS weakened every constitutional institution and attacked their autonomy—whether by stealing public opinion and toppling governments through the back door or by forcibly imposing one-party rule. During this period, the rights of the states were ignored and the federal structure was weakened. There have been continuous efforts to spread hatred, threats, and fear in society. Exploitation of Dalits, tribals, backward classes, minorities, and weaker sections has increased. The conspiracy to deprive them of reservation and equal rights continues. The unending violence in Manipur is the biggest proof of the BJP’s administrative failure,” he added.“BJP-RSS made the country’s GDP growth rate accustomed to 5–6%, compared to 8% on average during the UPA era. Instead of the promise of 2 crore jobs every year, crores of jobs have been lost. Due to inflation, public savings are at their lowest in 50 years, and economic inequality is at a 100-year high. Demonetisation, flawed GST implementation, unplanned lockdown, and the blow to the unorganised sector have ruined the future of crores of people. Make in India, Startup India, Stand Up India, Digital India, Namami Gange, and 100 Smart Cities—all have failed. Railways have been ruined. The Modi government is only cutting ribbons of infrastructure built by the Congress-UPA,” he said.
’11 Saal, Jhoothe Vikas ke Vaade’
Congress also presented a report card of PM Modi’s tenure by releasing two sets of documents to “expose the BJP’s broken promises.”At a press conference, AICC research department head Rajeev Gowda, who prepared the booklet, alleged, “This government is very good at fake news and propaganda. It is our job as the Opposition to let people know the grim reality.”The booklet ‘Ek Aur Baar Jumla Sarkar’, he said, focuses on promises made by the BJP in its 2024 manifesto. The second, ’11 Saal Jhoothe Vikas Ke Vaade’*, is a “detailed exposé” of the BJP’s hollow claims.“In the 11-Saal document, one of the first themes they (BJP) highlight is care for the poor and marginalised. They boast that 81 crore people are getting free food grains under PMGKAY. But the basic problem of hunger is a much larger crisis in India, which ranks 105th out of 127 countries on the World Hunger Index.“Its implications: malnutrition is affecting our children terribly. Stunting is at 35.5%, wasting at 19.3%, and underweight children at 32.1%,” Gowda said.Congress also accused PM Modi of failing to protect the country, claiming that “52 terrorist attacks” had occurred in the last year.“In one year of the Modi government: 52 terrorist attacks; 36 soldiers martyred; 53 soldiers injured; 56 civilians killed; 82 civilians injured,” the party stated.“Narendra Modi has failed in protecting the country,” it added.
‘People of the BJP are working against each other’
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also raised questions about the Centre’s performance in education, employment, and economic activity.He alleged a lack of coordination between the BJP-led central and Uttar Pradesh governments, citing their ongoing schemes.Speaking to reporters, Yadav said, “There’s a phrase in Hindi—‘Ek pe ek gyarah’ and the other ‘Nau Do Gyarah’. This might be their 11 years. If we add 11 years of the Central government and 9 years of the Uttar Pradesh government, that totals 20 years. The government must give an account of these 20 years. What have they done for the people? How far have we progressed in education? How successful have we been in providing employment or attracting investment?”“The people of Uttar Pradesh will analyse this more closely, since the Prime Minister himself is an MP from the state. There is no coordination between Delhi and Lucknow—it’s evident in the schemes. If even the adopted villages haven’t changed, it raises serious questions. The BJP leaders are working against each other. There are many unanswered questions on both achievements and failures. The people will evaluate. There is large-scale unemployment and inflation in Uttar Pradesh.”
‘This is Amrit Kaal’
In contrast, addressing a press conference in the national capital, BJP president JP Nadda said the past 11 years had seen a decisive shift from politics based on “appeasement” to one driven by “performance, accountability, and responsible governance.”“It should be written in golden letters that under the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi, a remarkable transformation has taken place over the past 11 years. PM Modi has reshaped Indian political culture. In the past, politics was driven by appeasement strategies aimed at preserving power. Now, under PM Modi, the focus is on performance, accountability, and responsible governance. This has become the new normal,” Nadda said.Calling the NDA a “people-led government,” Nadda claimed that the Modi administration had created a forward-looking, transparent, and futuristic model of governance.“Modi government is a people-led government. Over the past years, we have brought transparency and built a future-ready administration. That is why we talk about Viksit Bharat. This is Amrit Kaal. The past 11 years have laid a strong foundation for a truly developed and self-reliant India.”
