Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at the Congress over its repeated attempts to launch Rahul Gandhi politically, asking how long the party would continue to push its 'failed product'. He also accused the Congress of tarnishing India's global image and seeking foreign interference in the country's affairs.
PM Modi targets Congress over India's global image, says party seeks foreign interference (Photo: PTI)
New Delhi,Oct 22, 2026 22:07 IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing it of damaging India's international reputation and seeking foreign intervention in the country's affairs. He alleged that the opposition party was putting national interests at risk in its repeated attempts to establish its leader, Rahul Gandhi, politically.
Addressing the NDTV World Summit 2026, PM Modi said that while countries across the world were searching for a new global order, some people in India were hoping to create disorder at home. He said the country needed to project strength and stability internationally rather than undermine its achievements.
"When the entire world is in search of a new order, some people are dreaming of disorder in India. Today, when there is so much disorder in the world, a strong picture of India should be presented to the world, but these people are interested only in ruining the reputation of the country. These people go abroad and defame India. They ask foreigners to intervene," he said.
'HOW LONG WILL CONGRESS TRY TO LAUNCH ITS FAILED PRODUCT?'
Without explicitly naming Gandhi, the Prime Minister questioned how long the Congress would continue its efforts to establish its leader, using a comparison with repeated launch attempts to ridicule the party's political strategy.
"I don't know how long the Congress will continue to put the country at stake for the launch of its failed product. (The Satish Dhawan Space Centre at) Sriharikota does not see as many launches as the Congress tries, unsuccessfully, to launch its leader in a year," he quipped.
"The party can do what it wants to ruin itself; we have no issue with that. But to save one family from the stain of failure, the Congress is now putting India's achievements, India's greatness and its development at stake. The grapes are so sour that the Congress is now busy destroying the vine," he added.
PM CALLS CONGRESS A 'PARASITE'
PM Modi also described the Congress as a "parasite", accusing it of obstructing the growth of other political parties and organisations. He said the party's response to losing power reflected resentment and a desire to undermine the very system in which it had failed to secure public support.
The Prime Minister's remarks formed part of a broader criticism of the Congress's approach to national politics and its engagement with international audiences. He argued that political differences should not come at the cost of India's reputation or its development achievements.
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