Congress calls PM Modi interview a ‘scripted PR exercise’, alleges diversion from trade deal, farmers’ issues

Jairam Ramesh

• Congress calls Modi's interview a scripted PR exercise
• Jairam Ramesh: Interview meant to distract from Budget criticism
• Modi highlights reforms, digital growth, and private sector role

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The Indian National Congress on Sunday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent interview with news agency PTI, describing it as a “carefully scripted and desperate PR exercise” aimed at diverting attention from pressing economic and political concerns.

Party leader Jairam Ramesh said the timing of the interview was intended to deflect criticism surrounding the Union Budget and the Opposition’s attacks on the government in Parliament. In a post on X, he claimed the Budget had failed to impress markets and investors, prompting what he called a calculated media outreach by the prime minister.

The PM knows that this year’s Budget has been a damp squib and shows every sign of intellectual exhaustion. Markets have reacted negatively and investors have been unimpressed. Hence, he feels the need to give an interview a fortnight after the Budget was presented and a few days…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 15, 2026

Ramesh further alleged that the government was under pressure over the proposed trade deal with the United States and farmers’ issues, accusing Modi of attempting to shift the narrative through headline management.

“His so-called interview is no interview, but a carefully scripted and desperate PR exercise,” he wrote, adding in Hindi, “Pradhan Mantri jhuke bhi hain aur thake bhi hain.”

In the interview, Modi maintained that the private sector would play a decisive role in driving India’s next phase of economic transformation and reiterated that reform has remained a core commitment of his government “in letter and spirit.”

He said the latest Union Budget was not a “now or never moment” but a “we are ready” moment, reflecting the country’s aspiration to become a developed nation.

The prime minister also highlighted digital expansion and infrastructure growth, pointing to the success of the Unified Payments Interface as a driver of India’s global digital leadership.

He added that data centres would emerge as major job creators and emphasised that the government would “do whatever it takes” to support and modernise the defence forces.

Modi criticised the previous United Progressive Alliance government’s negotiation record, arguing that talks during its tenure often began and broke down without tangible outcomes.

He also said political stability and predictability had restored investor confidence, and asserted that women’s welfare remains central to the government’s decision-making.