New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI): Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship ‘Make in India’ initiative on Monday, asserting that it has largely failed. Presenting an alternative vision during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address in Parliament, Gandhi emphasized the need for greater inclusion of Dalits, tribals, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the economy while ensuring that India does not surrender its energy and mobility revolution to China.
Conceding that both the Congress-led UPA and the BJP-led NDA governments have failed to provide a clear solution to unemployment, Gandhi underscored the urgent need for a new economic direction. He envisioned how a future presidential address under an INDIA bloc-led government would sound, contrasting it with the current administration’s approach.
Foreign Policy Jibe Sparks Protests
Gandhi took a swipe at India’s foreign policy, suggesting that under his leadership, India would not have to seek invitations to international summits. "When we talk to the US, we wouldn't send our foreign minister multiple times just to get our PM invited to their coronation. If we had a robust production system and technological advancements, world leaders would invite our Prime Minister themselves," he remarked.His comments appeared to reference External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s trips to the US before former President Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017. The remarks triggered strong protests from treasury bench members, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju urging Gandhi to refrain from making "unsubstantiated allegations" on India's foreign policy.
‘Make in India’ a Failed Initiative
Gandhi acknowledged that the 'Make in India' initiative was conceptually sound but argued that it had not delivered results. "Manufacturing's share of GDP has declined from 15.3% in 2014 to 12.6% today, the lowest in 60 years. The Prime Minister tried, but it is clear that he failed," he said, with PM Modi present in the House at the time.He further claimed that India's struggle with unemployment is a result of its failure to build a strong production ecosystem, stating that the country has effectively "handed over the organization of production to the Chinese."
The Need for a Mobility and AI Revolution
Gandhi pointed to the ongoing mobility revolution, noting the global transition from internal combustion engines to electric motors and from petrol to batteries. Drawing parallels with India’s successful navigation of the IT revolution, he urged the country to seize the opportunities presented by the current technological shift."The four key technologies shaping mobility are electric motors, batteries, optics, and artificial intelligence (AI)," he said, warning that China currently holds a 10-year lead over India in this sector. He also cautioned against India’s dependence on American tech giants like Google and Facebook for consumption data, which fuels AI operations.
China Border Issue and the Need for Economic Strength
Gandhi did not hold back on the China issue, accusing the Modi government of downplaying the presence of Chinese forces on Indian territory. "The PM denies their presence, yet our Army continues to negotiate with them over their entry into our land," he said. His remarks sparked strong rebuttals from ruling party members.He linked the border issue with economic weakness, claiming that China’s incursions stem from India’s failure to strengthen its manufacturing base. "If ‘Make in India’ had succeeded, we wouldn’t be facing this challenge," he asserted.
Caste Census and Inclusive Governance
Highlighting findings from a recent caste census in Telangana, Gandhi revealed that nearly 90% of the state's population comprises Dalits, Adivasis, Backward Classes, and minorities. He suggested that at least 50% of India's population belongs to the OBC category, reinforcing the need for their greater representation in governance, institutions, and wealth distribution."Our vision focuses on two critical areas: first, ensuring equal participation of OBCs, Adivasis, and Dalits in decision-making and economic opportunities. Second, actively challenging China in the technological revolution to secure India's place as a global leader," he said.
Repetitive Presidential Address
Gandhi also criticized the President’s address, calling it a "laundry list" of government achievements repeated year after year. He stressed that a future INDIA bloc government would deliver a more transformative vision, addressing unemployment, boosting indigenous manufacturing, and making India a major player in next-generation technologies.As the Opposition leader’s remarks drew sharp reactions from BJP members, his speech set the stage for an intense political debate on India’s economic and strategic direction ahead of the 2024 elections.
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