Jairam Ramesh (ANI image) NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday reacted sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interview with news agency PTI, calling it a “carefully scripted and desperate PR exercise” and alleging that it was aimed at diverting attention from key issues.Party leader Jairam Ramesh said that the interview was timed to divert attention from criticism over the Union Budget and the Opposition’s attack on the government in Parliament.“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 after it was taken apart by the Opposition in Parliament. As usual, there are Modi-style one-liners that mean little in reality,” Ramesh said in a post on X.Alleging that the prime minister was facing pressure over the trade deal with the United States and farmers’ issues, Ramesh said PM Modi was attempting to shift the narrative through media outreach.“Under siege and attack because of his surrender to the US on the trade deal, the Prime Minister is now resorting to his favourite tactic of headline management. He is trying to divert attention away from his betrayal of lakhs and lakhs of farmers and other capitulations. His so-called interview is no interview, but a carefully scripted and desperate PR exercise,” he further wrote. Ramesh added in Hindi, “Pradhan Mantri jhuke bhi hain aur thake bhi hain.”In his interview, PM Modi said that the private sector will play a decisive role in driving India’s next phase of economic transformation and asserted that reform has been a core commitment of his government “in letter and spirit”. He said the next leap towards “Viksit Bharat” would depend on bold investments by industry in innovation, long-term capacity and global competitiveness.The prime minister said the latest Union Budget was not a “now or never moment” born out of compulsion but a “we are ready” moment born out of preparation and inspiration, asserting that it reflects India’s “yearning” to become a developed nation. He maintained that none of his government’s budgets were prepared with the attitude of creating a routine “bahi khata” document.Highlighting digital growth and infrastructure expansion, PM Modi said India is a global digital leader due to reforms in transactions through the UPI platform and added that data centres would be a massive job creator. He also said India is witnessing the most expansive infrastructure push in its history and emphasised that the government will do whatever it takes to support and modernise the defence forces.The prime minister criticised the previous UPA government’s record, saying that during its rule, talks would begin and then break down, with little real substance achieved despite long negotiations. He also said political stability and predictability have restored investor confidence in India and asserted that the welfare of women guides every decision taken by his government.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFormer BSP leader Naseemuddin Siddiqui joins Samajwadi Party in presence of Akhilesh YadavAkhilesh Yadav Attacks BJP on Trade Deal, Says India’s Market ‘Gifted to US’, Mentions Epstein File“Active But Shut Out” Nafisa Raihana Over Low Women Nominations“Unfortunate ”: Oppn Targets India-Pak Match After Pahalgam, Delhi BlastsKarnataka: Two Killed In Chemical Tank Explosion At Kirti Chemicals In Mandya‘I Challenge Rahul Gandhi’: Amit Shah Slams Cong For ‘Misleading Farmers’ On India-US Trade Deal’India Wedded To Strategic Autonomy’: EAM Jaishankar After Marco Rubio’s Russian Oil ClaimIndian Student Saketh Sreenivasaiah Found Dead In U.S. Days After Going Missing In California‘Feels Like A Gas Chamber’: Yogi Adityanath’s Swipe At Delhi Over Pollution, Hails Gorakhpur’s AQIPM Modi Gets Invite For Tarique Rahman’s Swearing-In Ceremony In Bangladesh On February 17123Photostories8 Indian dishes that were once considered “poor man’s food” but are now premiumApple TV’s five must-watch sitcoms: ‘Bad Sisters,’ ‘Shrinking’ and moreWhat is a convertible car? Features, types and 5 key facts every buyer should knowShahid Kapoor, Shah Rukh Khan, Varun Dhawan: Actors who turned grey on screen and left audiences stunnedFrom Ram Kapoor to Sakshi Tanwar, Ronit Roy and more – TV celebrities who own lavish propertiesMumbai’s Bandra east skywalk opens: 680m elevated link to BKC, western express highwayShahid Kapoor-Kareena Kapoor to Ranbir Kapoor-Deepika Padukone: Bollywood exes who reunited on screen after break upRajpal Yadav, Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh: A look at Bollywood’s ongoing legal storms5 important rivers that pass through Indian national parks7 protein-rich air fryer snacks under 200 calories123Hot PicksIT Stocks CrashGold Silver PricesBangladesh Election ResultsTelangana Municipal Elections ResultsIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingPatrick MahomesBad BunnyJosh MorrisseyJutta LeerdamAuston MatthewsKayla NicoleAnthony JoshuaChris PaulDarron LeeKyle Busch Net Worth
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday reacted sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interview with news agency PTI, calling it a “carefully scripted and desperate PR exercise” and alleging that it was aimed at diverting attention from key issues.Party leader Jairam Ramesh said that the interview was timed to divert attention from criticism over the Union Budget and the Opposition’s attack on the government in Parliament.“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 after it was taken apart by the Opposition in Parliament. As usual, there are Modi-style one-liners that mean little in reality,” Ramesh said in a post on X.Alleging that the prime minister was facing pressure over the trade deal with the United States and farmers’ issues, Ramesh said PM Modi was attempting to shift the narrative through media outreach.“Under siege and attack because of his surrender to the US on the trade deal, the Prime Minister is now resorting to his favourite tactic of headline management. He is trying to divert attention away from his betrayal of lakhs and lakhs of farmers and other capitulations. His so-called interview is no interview, but a carefully scripted and desperate PR exercise,” he further wrote. Ramesh added in Hindi, “Pradhan Mantri jhuke bhi hain aur thake bhi hain.”In his interview, PM Modi said that the private sector will play a decisive role in driving India’s next phase of economic transformation and asserted that reform has been a core commitment of his government “in letter and spirit”. He said the next leap towards “Viksit Bharat” would depend on bold investments by industry in innovation, long-term capacity and global competitiveness.The prime minister said the latest Union Budget was not a “now or never moment” born out of compulsion but a “we are ready” moment born out of preparation and inspiration, asserting that it reflects India’s “yearning” to become a developed nation. He maintained that none of his government’s budgets were prepared with the attitude of creating a routine “bahi khata” document.Highlighting digital growth and infrastructure expansion, PM Modi said India is a global digital leader due to reforms in transactions through the UPI platform and added that data centres would be a massive job creator. He also said India is witnessing the most expansive infrastructure push in its history and emphasised that the government will do whatever it takes to support and modernise the defence forces.The prime minister criticised the previous UPA government’s record, saying that during its rule, talks would begin and then break down, with little real substance achieved despite long negotiations. He also said political stability and predictability have restored investor confidence in India and asserted that the welfare of women guides every decision taken by his government.
