Prime Minister Narendra Modi, known for his sharp political acumen and oratorical prowess, delivered a scathing rebuttal to Rahul Gandhi’s blistering attack during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The face-off between the two leaders was one of the most anticipated moments in Indian politics, with Gandhi targeting Modi on issues ranging from unemployment to crony capitalism, while Modi retaliated with a mix of data, historical references, and political taunts.
Impact of Modi’s Speech
Modi’s speech was widely seen as a powerful counter to Gandhi’s attack, reinforcing his leadership . The Prime Minister’s ability to mix rhetoric with hard data helped him blunt the opposition’s narrative while maintaining his image as a decisive leader. The speech also energized the BJP’s rank and file, who saw it as a reaffirmation of Modi’s political dominance.
Conversely, while Rahul Gandhi’s attack created headlines and resonated with opposition supporters, Modi’s counteroffensive ensured that the Congress’s criticism did not translate into a serious dent in the BJP’s credibility. Gandhi’s speech lacked the statistical backing that Modi effectively used, making his points more about perception than substance.
Rahul Gandhi’s Attack: Setting the Tone
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, launched a broadside against Modi, accusing him of failing to address key economic challenges, weakening democratic institutions, and favouring big business houses at the cost of common citizens. Gandhi’s speech, replete with emotional fervour, resonated with the opposition benches as he attempted to paint the BJP-led government as an authoritarian regime that had betrayed the ideals of the Constitution. His sharpest jibes included allegations of corruption linked to corporate favouritism, suppression of dissent, and failure to provide jobs despite grand promises.
Modi’s Salient Countering Factors
Modi’s response was not just a rebuttal but a carefully crafted narrative that aimed to dismantle Gandhi’s arguments while simultaneously positioning the BJP as the true custodian of national progress. His speech was laden with references to history, governance, and Congress’s past failures besides satirical attack of three MPs from one family and a dire need to read a book written by Bruce Riedel’s “JFK’s Forgotten Crisis; Tibet, the CIA and The Sino-Indo War”. In this book, Bruce Riedel mentions Nehru’s request to the then US President, John F. Kennedy to provide jet fighters to counter the Chinese tide of aggression in 1962.
Congress’s Historical Legacy of Failure
Modi launched his counterattack by highlighting the Congress party’s own history of misgovernance, particularly focusing on economic mismanagement, corruption scandals, and the imposition of the Emergency. He reminded the Parliament that Congress had ruled India for over six decades and was responsible for structural inefficiencies that the BJP was now trying to correct. This narrative served to undercut Rahul Gandhi’s moral high ground and shift the focus toward Congress’s historical baggage.
Economic Growth under BJP Rule
To counter allegations of economic distress, Modi presented data claiming India’s remarkable economic recovery post-COVID-19, its growing global stature as the fastest-growing major economy, and record-high FDI inflows. He pointed to India’s manufacturing surge, infrastructure expansion, and the success of the ‘Make in India’ initiative as evidence that the NDA government was not only fostering growth but also reducing dependency on imports.
Unemployment and Job Creation
On the issue of joblessness, a primary weapon in Rahul Gandhi’s arsenal, Modi presented counter-data emphasizing the record number of new start- ups, increased employment in the formal sector, and large-scale skilling initiatives undertaken by the government. He highlighted that while Congress had only paid lip service to employment, his government had created real opportunities through initiatives like Mudra Yojana, PLI schemes, and infrastructural expansion that generated millions of jobs.
Welfare Schemes and Inclusive Growth
Taking the welfare plank away from the Congress, Modi detailed how schemes like PM Kisan, Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala Yojana, and Jan Dhan Yojana had directly benefited the poor. He turned Gandhi’s accusations of neglect back at the Congress, arguing that the latter had failed to implement such programs during its rule despite ruling for decades. This counter not only blunted Gandhi’s attack but also reinforced Modi’s attempt to paint his government as pro-poor .
Crony Capitalism Allegation – A Reverse Attack
Rahul Gandhi’s consistent attack on Modi’s alleged favouritism towards big businesses was met with a sharp retort. Modi reminded the Parliament that some of India’s biggest corporate giants had flourished during the Congress era. He cited instances where Congress had facilitated monopolistic practices and accused the opposition of hypocrisy in questioning his government’s economic policies while having a track record of aiding the very businessmen they now vilify.
Strengthening Democracy, Not Weakening It
Rejecting Rahul Gandhi’s claims that democracy was in danger under BJP rule, Modi cited record voter participation, increased political engagement at the grassroots level, and the rise of new regional parties as evidence that India’s democracy was thriving. He tried to exhibit that social media and independent voices had greater freedom today than during the Congress-imposed Emergency, which was a direct attack on the Gandhi family’s political past.
China and National Security
Rahul Gandhi raised concerns about Chinese incursions, a sensitive topic in national security discourse. Modi countered this by presenting a robust defense of the government’s handling of border issues, pointing out the infrastructure built along the LAC and the military’s improved preparedness. He also took a swipe at the Congress’s handling of past security issues, especially the 1962 war with China, questioning their moral authority to lecture on national security.
Bharat vs. India Debate
In response to Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat vs. India rhetoric, Modi turned the argument on its head, emphasizing that the BJP stands for a united India, while the opposition’s narrative was divisive. He positioned the Congress as a party that historically divided Indians along caste, religion, and regional lines, subtly linking this to the larger political discourse ahead of the 2024 general elections.
A Political and Oratorical Win for Modi
The parliamentary battle between Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi was a clash of contrasting styles—Gandhi relied on emotion, symbolism, and sharp accusations, while Modi deployed facts, historical context, and humour to defuse attacks. By systematically dismantling the opposition’s arguments, Modi reaffirmed his stature as the undisputed leader of the ruling alliance at center.
With his counteroffensive, Modi not only defended his government’s record but also exposed Congress’s vulnerabilities, ensuring that the BJP’s narrative remained dominant in the national discourse. The session underscored why Modi remains a formidable opponent in Indian politics, adept at turning every challenge into an opportunity for political consolidation.
(Writer is senior political analyst and strategic affairs columnist)
