Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of repeatedly attempting to undermine India’s achievements while criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government. Speaking at the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Samavesha held in Bengaluru to mark 12 years of the Modi government, Sitharaman said Gandhi’s remarks were creating a misleading picture of the country’s economic performance despite strong growth indicators and global recognition of India’s progress.

Addressing BJP workers and supporters, Sitharaman said the Leader of the Opposition often portrays India as being on the verge of crisis, a claim she argued is not supported by economic data. She maintained that India continues to be the world’s fastest-growing major economy and pointed to consistent growth recorded over successive quarters and years. The Finance Minister also noted that international institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have acknowledged India’s economic momentum despite global uncertainties.

Sitharaman further alleged that repeated criticism by the Congress leadership could create a false perception among citizens about the country’s condition. Referring to ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, she said India has continued to maintain economic stability and ensure essential supplies. She highlighted the impact of global conflicts on shipping, insurance costs and energy supply chains, arguing that such challenges have been effectively managed by the government without causing major disruptions to the domestic economy.

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Highlighting the Modi government’s record over the past 12 years, the Finance Minister said development initiatives and welfare programmes had significantly improved living standards across the country. She cited reductions in multidimensional poverty, expansion of sanitation coverage, improved access to drinking water and food security measures as key achievements. Sitharaman also pointed to the rapid growth of India’s digital public infrastructure, including Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar-linked services and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which she described as a global benchmark for digital transactions.

The Finance Minister also rejected allegations by the Karnataka government that the Centre had neglected the state. Presenting figures on tax devolution, grants-in-aid and infrastructure support, she said Karnataka had received substantially higher financial allocations during the Modi government compared to previous years. Sitharaman added that the state had benefited from major central investments and financial assistance schemes aimed at accelerating development and economic growth.

Looking ahead, Sitharaman urged citizens and party workers to contribute towards the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047. She said achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat would require collective effort from governments, industries and citizens alike. Describing Karnataka as India’s innovation capital, she emphasized the state’s leadership in sectors such as aerospace, defence manufacturing and biotechnology, calling on all stakeholders to work together to realize the vision of a prosperous and self-reliant India.

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