PM Modi Redefines Historical Economic Slump
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently used the occasion of becoming India’s longest continuously serving Prime Minister to launch a sharp critique against the Congress party. Addressing leaders at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Modi argued that the widely used economic term “Hindu rate of growth” was a misnomer, unfairly attributing slow economic development to Hindu society.
Instead, Modi contended, the period of modest economic growth experienced by India between the 1950s and 1980s should be accurately labeled the “Congress rate of growth.” He asserted that the term was coined to mask the governance failures and lack of decisive policy from successive Congress governments during that era.
Accountability for Decades of Slow Progress
Elaborating on his criticism, the Prime Minister stated that Congress had instilled a sense of helplessness and an inferiority complex in the nation, making people believe that India’s development would inherently be slow. He claimed this narrative cunningly shifted blame for governmental shortcomings onto the country’s vast Hindu population.
Modi highlighted that the so-called “Congress Growth Rate” was characterized by an absence of clear governance, effective policy, strong intent, and decisiveness. He emphasized that the failures were entirely those of the Congress, yet the stigma was unfairly placed on the Hindu community.
NDA's Role in Accelerating Development
The Prime Minister credited the NDA government under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for first demonstrating the potential for accelerated development in India. He remarked that it was only after the NDA came to power that the nation truly glimpsed what rapid economic progress could look like.
Reflecting on his own tenure, Modi expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, attributing his achievement to divine grace and the support of the people. He underscored that the political stability provided by NDA governments has been crucial in accelerating development and bolstering public confidence, transforming a “sun of hope” from 2014 into a “beacon of confidence.”
Welfare Achievements and Future Vision
Modi also highlighted significant welfare achievements during the NDA’s time in power, noting that 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty. He concluded by urging states to move beyond political rivalries and instead compete fiercely on economic performance, emphasizing that the collective effort of states is the true energy driving India’s development.