‘Golden period’ or ‘only propaganda’: BJP, Congress spar as PM Modi’s NDA government completes 11 years in office | India News

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday marked 11 years of his “seva” showcasing India’s Vikas Yatra under his NDA government guided by the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.” The Prime Minister took to X to state that in the 11 years of his government – “India has undergone a decade of remarkable transformation across diverse sectors, driven by the principles of Seva, Sushasan, and Garib Kalyan. The NDA government has delivered path-breaking changes with speed, scale and sensitivity.” The BJP celebrated the occasion with a song “Safar chal raha hai, desh badal raha hai …” as NDA leaders, including the Union ministers, hailed the 11-year golden rule.The BJP cheers were countered with sharp attacks from the opposition ranks, led by the Congress, which alleged that the government has only “smeared the ink of dictatorship” on every page of the Constitution in these 11 years. While Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge accused the “BJP-RSS of weakening every constitutional institution and attacking their autonomy,” Rahul Gandhi claimed that in the eleven years of Modi government, there was no accountability, no change, only propaganda. The leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha said the Centre has stopped talking about the present and is now selling dreams of 2047.‘Viksit Bharat ka Amrit Kaal’ vs ‘Jhoote Vikaas Ke Vaade’The completion of 11 years also marked a book vs book fight. The Centre released an e-book, “Viksit Bharat ka Amrit Kaal: Seva, Sushasan, Garib Kalyan ke 11 Saal”, on its achievements across all the sectors over the past 11 years under the leadership of PM Modi.“The year 2025 marks 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. These 11 years have been dedicated to bring about development which is inclusive, progressive, and sustainable. The government under Prime Minister Modi has been steadfast in its commitment of creating equity and opportunity for all citizens. PM Modi has brought the politics of development – Vikasvaad – into the mainstream, making it the focal point around which political discourse and policy action now revolves,” said its introduction.Divided into 14 chapters, the book covers issues ranging from schemes for the poor and marginalised, farmer welfare, economy, healthcare, women/youth empowerment, infrastructure development, tech revolution, ease-of-living for middle class, the progress made in northeast, national security and foreign policy, environment and sustainability initiatives, and preservation and propagation of the country’s rich culture and heritage“Since assuming office in 2014, PM Modi has remained firm in his resolve of keeping ‘India First’ in every policy formulation and action. This resolve is evident in government’s handling of both external and internal security, economic management, empowerment schemes for marginalised groups, efforts at cultural conservation and so on,” it said.The Congress countered this by releasing a booklet to highlight stagnated growth rate, rising hunger, and “unfulfilled promises” of Modi government in last 11 years. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh in a post on X said that the booklet, ’11 Saal, Jhoothe Vikaas ke vade’, commemorates “some of the biggest lies of this Government.”Addressing 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 get people to know this grim reality.”He said that to expose the BJP’s on its promises the party was releasing two sets of documents. The booklet, ‘Ek Aur Baar Jumla Sarkar’, he said, looks at the promises made by the BJP in its 2024 manifesto, and has since made. The other one, he said, is ’11 Saal Jhoote Vikaas Ke Vaade’, which is a “detailed exposé” of the “hollow promises” of the BJP.War of wordsWhile the BJP leaders and its allies hailed PM Modi’s 11-year rule, the opposition parties targeted the NDA government. Home minister Amit Shah on Monday lauded the 11 years of Modi government as a “golden period” in public service. Shah said when PM Modi took over the reins of the country in 2014, there was policy paralysis in the country.The Union home minister said this new India under Modi is rapidly progressing towards development and self-reliance with the power of reform, perform and transform.Senior BJP leader and Union minister Nitin Gadkari said under Modi’s “visionary leadership”, India has undergone a historic transformation grounded in seva (service), good governance, and inclusive development.“From empowering women, youth, and farmers to modernising infrastructure and healthcare, Bharat’s progress has been swift and far-reaching. With global leadership, a self-reliant economy, and a people-first approach, India stands tall on the world stage,” he said.Defence minister Rajnath Singh asserted that India stands well-equipped and unwavering in its resolve to safeguard its territorial integrity, as Union ministers praised the prime minister’s leadership.The 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government will be written in golden letters for the positive changes it has effected, BJP president J P Nadda said.The Congress said the Modi government in the last 11 years has dealt a deep blow to the country’s democracy, economy and social fabric. In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the government has only “smeared the ink of dictatorship” on every page of the Constitution in these 11 years.“The BJP-RSS has weakened every constitutional institution and attacked their autonomy, ” he said. Kharge said efforts are constantly being made to spread an environment of “hatred, threats and fear”.Rahul Gandhi alleged that 11 years of Modi government have been “without accountability or change” but only about “propaganda”.In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said that instead of talking of the present, the BJP government is “selling dreams of 2047”.“While the Modi Government is celebrating 11 years of ‘service’, the reality of the country is reflected in the tragic news coming from Mumbai – several people died after falling from a train. Indian Railways is the backbone of the lives of crores of people, but today it has become a symbol of insecurity, congestion and chaos,” Rahul Gandhi said.“Eleven years of Modi government = no accountability, no change, only propaganda. Who will see what the country is facing today? I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” he added.Eight passengers travelling towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) fell from an excessively crowded train at Mumbra railway station in Thane district on Monday, officials from Central Railways said on Monday.Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav criticised the BJP governments in the Centre and Uttar Pradesh.As the BJP is celebrating 11 years of the Modi government, Yadav questioned the government over the issue of education, employment and economic activities.The SP chief further alleged that there is a lack of coordination among the BJP-led Central and Uttar Pradesh governments, citing their ongoing schemes.(With inputs from agencies)