Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the inaugural event of Namo Bharat Railway and other projects in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday | Photo credit: ANI
Addressing a public meeting after the inauguration of the Namo Bharat Railway and other projects in Meerut (Uttar Pradesh), Modi said the Congress’s behavior showed how “ideologically bankrupt and impoverished” the party had become.
Modi praised some ‘opposition parties’ for calling on the Congress and therefore ‘having the truth and national pride’. He “appreciated the courage” shown by these parties who criticized the incident at the AI summit. Jagan Reddy-led YSRCP, K Chandrashekar Rao-led BRS and Mayawati-led BSP – none of which are part of the INDI alliance – have criticized the Congress party.
Modi further alleged that the Congress leaders were glorifying those who had insulted the country, instead of being ashamed.
Limiting liability to Congress leaders, the Prime Minister said the actions did not involve the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) or the National Conference. “By not allowing Parliament to function, it is their allies who suffer the most,” he added.
In what is being hinted at as an allusion to Rahul Gandhi, Modi said: “If you want to sit in the Prime Minister’s chair, you have to first win the hearts of the people.” He alleged that the mad (sarfirae) and reckless (be-lagaam) leaders of the Congress are out to destroy the country.
‘Congress, a burden on India’
The Prime Minister’s outbursts against the Congress became evident after he skipped the usual reply to the President’s speech in the Lok Sabha. Modi slammed the Congress over the February 4 incident during the Budget session when women MPs had gone to the Prime Minister’s seat in the Lok Sabha with banners before he was to arrive for his scheduled speech, leading to the suspension of proceedings for the day.
“You cannot become prime minister by sending female MPs to seats. What compulsion is there to push mothers and sisters forward in this way? Have you become so hollow?” Modi said and alleged that Congress had become a burden on the country.
“But what did Congress and its ecosystem do? They turned a global event in India into an arena for them dirty and naked (dirty and shameless) politics. Congress leaders arrived at the venue in the presence of foreign dignitaries after taking off their clothes. I want to ask the Congress leaders – the country already knows that you are ‘nange’ (exposed), so why was there a need to stoop further?” he said.
After inaugurating development projects worth around ₹12,930 crore in Meerut, Prime Minister Modi said the BJP’s work culture ensures timely completion of projects and the twin-engine government would continue working towards making the country the largest economy.
Published on February 22, 2026
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