Congress Slams PM Modi’s PTI Interview, Calls It a “Scripted PR Exercise”

New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent interview to news agency PTI, calling it a “carefully scripted and desperate public relations exercise” aimed at diverting attention from pressing national issues.

Reacting strongly, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that the Prime Minister gave the interview to shift focus away from criticism surrounding the Union Budget and the opposition’s aggressive stance in Parliament.

“PM Needed This Interview to Change the Narrative”

In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh claimed that the Prime Minister was compelled to engage in media outreach because the latest budget has failed to impress investors and has received a negative response from the market.

He said the budget reflected signs of “mental fatigue” and lacked any meaningful direction. According to Ramesh, the interview was conducted nearly two weeks after the budget presentation and only after the opposition raised serious questions in Parliament.

Ramesh further remarked that the Prime Minister’s statements were filled with “Modi-style one-liners” which, he claimed, carried little substance.

“The Prime Minister Looks Bowed and Tired”

Accusing the Prime Minister of being under pressure over the alleged trade deal with the United States and unresolved farmer-related issues, the Congress leader said the government was attempting to control headlines rather than address real concerns.

He alleged that the Prime Minister is facing criticism for “surrendering” in international trade negotiations and is now trying to alter the political narrative through media management.

Ramesh stated that the interview was not a genuine interaction but a “pre-written PR exercise” designed to distract people from what he called the government’s betrayal of millions of farmers.

“The Prime Minister appears bowed and tired,” he added.

What PM Modi Said in the Interview

In the PTI interview, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of the private sector in shaping India’s next phase of economic transformation. He said reforms have remained a core commitment of his government.

The Prime Minister stated that India’s journey towards a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) would depend heavily on industry-led innovation, long-term capacity building, and major investments aimed at enhancing global competitiveness.

He also said the latest Union Budget was not a product of compulsion or urgency but reflected a prepared and motivated government.

Calling it a “we are ready moment,” Modi said the budget showcased India’s determination and ambition to emerge as a developed nation. He added that none of his government’s budgets were ever drafted as routine accounting documents, but as visionary plans for national progress.