Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday criticised the NDA government during his Independence Day address, arguing that the Congress had focused on transforming people's economic conditions rather than merely changing the names of institutions and schemes. Speaking at the party headquarters, Kharge credited successive Congress-led governments with building key sectors including the economy, education, infrastructure and defence, while claiming that a large share of India's development was the result of the party's policies.

Addressing the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Indira Bhawan, Kharge said the occasion was not only an opportunity to remember the freedom struggle but also to assess how much of the vision of India's freedom fighters had been realised. He highlighted the role of young people in both the freedom movement and nation-building after Independence. Kharge also recalled the sacrifices made during the country's struggle against colonial rule and the Congress party's historical role in that movement.

Kharge praised India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, for establishing institutions and infrastructure that he argued helped lay the foundation for modern India. He cited the creation of IITs, IIMs, public sector units and major irrigation projects, while describing Nehru's approach to nation-building. He also credited former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri with promoting India's agricultural transformation and said Indira Gandhi strengthened the country's space, nuclear, military and strategic capabilities. Kharge also referred to her role during the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.

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The Congress president also highlighted the contributions of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, particularly in technology, education, defence and youth development. He credited Rajiv Gandhi with efforts to restore peace in the Northeast and Punjab, laying foundations for India's IT expansion, strengthening defence capabilities and introducing initiatives including Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas. Kharge also pointed to the lowering of the voting age from 21 to 18 as an important reform aimed at giving young people a greater role in India's democracy.

Kharge further credited former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao with opening the Indian economy to globalisation and helping move the country towards becoming a major investment destination. Referring to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he highlighted economic growth alongside welfare measures, including MGNREGA, the Right to Education Act, the Right to Information Act, the Forest Rights Act and the Food Security Act. He also credited Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi with contributing to policy formulation and efforts aimed at strengthening people's rights.

Taking aim at the present government, Kharge accused it of taking credit for achievements associated with earlier governments and argued that the Congress had focused on improving people's living conditions. He claimed that “90 per cent” of what India has today was the contribution of the Congress and argued that the party's approach went beyond changing names or rebranding initiatives. His Independence Day address therefore combined a defence of the Congress's historical record with criticism of the Centre's policies and its presentation of India's development story.

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