As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepared to address the nation, the Congress party launched a preemptive critique, questioning whether his speech would address pressing concerns or simply reiterate familiar themes. The party also alluded to the Prime Minister's relationship with former US President Donald Trump, taking a "friend in US" dig.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to social media platform X to express his concerns. Ramesh highlighted that Trump had repeatedly claimed credit for halting "Operation Sindoor" by leveraging trade relations with America. Operation Sindoor is related to resolving tensions between India and Pakistan. Ramesh questioned whether Modi would address the allegedly deteriorating India-US relations, the concerns of Indian H1B visa holders, or the risks faced by farmers and workers due to tariffs. He also wondered if the Prime Minister would instead focus solely on new Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates.
Other opposition parties have also been critical of PM Modi's addresses. Following a past Independence Day speech, the Congress party labeled it as "stale, hypocritical, insipid, and troubling," accusing the Prime Minister of "politicizing" the event to "appease" the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). They raised concerns about unemployment, the misuse of constitutional bodies, investigative agencies, and India's declining standing in international diplomacy under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Trinamool Congress (TMC) accused PM Modi of using his Independence Day address to target "infiltrators," while the CPI (M) criticized him for "lauding the RSS".
Rahul Gandhi has also been a vocal critic, attacking PM Modi as a "weak PM" for allegedly failing to protect Indian interests on the international stage, particularly concerning the H-1B visa issue. He accused the government of not taking timely measures to safeguard the employment and opportunities of Indian professionals abroad, calling it a failure of leadership. Gandhi has also alleged "vote theft" and promised to release a "hydrogen bomb" of evidence to expose systematic manipulation of the electoral process.
In response to such criticisms, the BJP has defended PM Modi and his policies. Ravi Shankar Prasad, a senior BJP leader, accused Rahul Gandhi of misleading the public and attempting to sow unrest. PM Modi himself has, in the past, slammed the Congress for allegedly insulting the people of Bihar. He accused the opposition of supporting "infiltrators" and pledged to remove them.
These exchanges highlight the ongoing political battle between the Congress party and PM Modi's government. The Congress appears keen to challenge the Prime Minister on various fronts, including foreign policy, economic issues, and domestic concerns. As PM Modi prepares to address the nation, the question remains whether he will address these concerns directly or stick to his established narratives.
