Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday, criticized the President’s address to Parliament, calling it a repetition of last year’s speech and dismissing it as a “laundry list” of government achievements.
Unemployment Remains Unresolved, Says Gandhi
Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, Gandhi highlighted that successive governments—both UPA and NDA—have failed to effectively tackle unemployment. He pointed out that despite repeated promises, the youth of India still lack clear answers about job opportunities.
‘Make in India’ a Good Idea but a Failure
Taking a dig at the Narendra Modi-led government, Gandhi acknowledged that ‘Make in India’ was a strong concept but claimed that the Prime Minister had “pretty much failed” in executing it.
He further linked this failure to national security concerns, alleging that China had encroached on Indian territory because of India’s reluctance to ramp up domestic production. “I am worried that India will once again surrender this manufacturing revolution to the Chinese,” he warned.
Congress’ Vision for Foreign Policy
Criticizing the BJP government’s foreign policy approach, Gandhi remarked, “We wouldn’t send our foreign minister to the United States just to get our Prime Minister an invitation to the US President’s coronation.”
His comments were met with a sharp rebuttal from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who demanded that Gandhi substantiate his claims about the government’s foreign policy. “You cannot make such unsubstantiated claims,” Rijiju countered.
Social Tensions and Economic Challenges
Gandhi also voiced concerns over rising social tensions in the country and asserted that India had failed in organizing production, effectively handing over industrial dominance to China. He stressed the need for a stronger focus on manufacturing and self-reliance to drive economic growth.
Concluding his speech, Gandhi highlighted four key technologies shaping the future of mobility—electric motors, batteries, and emerging innovations—suggesting that India must invest in these sectors to remain competitive on the global stage.
