The Congress party launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he surpassed the record of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in terms of tenure as a non-Congress prime minister. Calling him a 'millstone around India's neck', the Congress criticized Modi's leadership and policies.
Record Surpassed
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now served as the head of government for a total of 6,930 days across his two terms, surpassing Nehru's record of 6,920 days as a non-Congress prime minister. However, Nehru remains the longest-serving prime minister overall with 6,930 days in office. Modi reached this milestone on December 25, 2024, marking a significant moment in Indian political history.
Congress Criticism
The Congress party, in a series of statements, accused Modi of divisive politics and economic mismanagement. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera said, 'He is a millstone around India's neck. His government has failed on every front, from economy to social harmony.' The Congress also highlighted issues such as unemployment, inflation, and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as failures of the Modi government.
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi added, 'This is not a moment of celebration but a reminder of how far we have fallen. Modi's record is one of broken promises and rising inequality.' The party also criticized the government's handling of the farmers' protests and the recent ethnic violence in Manipur.
Government Response
In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended Modi's tenure, citing achievements in infrastructure, digitalization, and welfare schemes. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stated, 'Modi ji's leadership has transformed India. The Congress is simply jealous of his success.' The BJP also pointed out that Modi's government has implemented historic reforms like the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the abrogation of Article 370.
Historical Context
Jawaharlal Nehru served as prime minister from 1947 until his death in 1964, a total of 16 years and 286 days. Modi, who took office in 2014, has now completed 10 years and 285 days as prime minister. While Modi has surpassed Nehru's record for non-Congress prime ministers, he still trails Nehru in overall tenure. Other long-serving prime ministers include Indira Gandhi (11 years, 194 days) and Manmohan Singh (10 years, 4 days).
The Congress's attack comes amid a charged political atmosphere, with general elections expected in 2024. The opposition has been rallying against the Modi government on various issues, including the use of investigative agencies against political opponents and the alleged erosion of democratic institutions.
