Sanjay Raut calls PM Modi ‘Congressvadi’, slams for using Swadeshi in speech

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on Independence Day for using the slogan of swadeshi (self-reliance), saying he has become “Congressvadi”, as the idea of swadeshi was given by Mahatma Gandhi, Lokmanya Tilak, and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in pre-independence times.

“With swadeshi, Khadi came to the country, the Gandhi cap came, which Narendra Modi might wear someday while giving a speech. He has become a Nehruvian and a Gandhian,” said Mr. Raut sarcastically, accusing the BJP of making the country extremely fanatical about religion in the last 10 years, creating communal divide, which is dangerous for India. 

Mr. Raut’s response comes after Mr. Modi’s speech on the 79th Independence Day from the Red Fort, where he spoke about swadeshi, terrorism, Operation Sindoor, and the Indus Water Treaty.

Also read: Independence Day highlights

Taking a potshot at Mr. Modi’s take on the U.S. and Pakistan, Mr. Raut said, “He has no courage to warn them by taking their name. He should call out U.S. President Trump for their stand on Pakistan and imposition of tariffs; abusing the country every day, but instead he takes the name of Nehru, an architect of the country. 

Mr. Raut also questions Mr. Trump’s dinner with Pakistan’s Army Chief Munir and asks whether the Indian Army Chief was ever invited. “Warning, Pakistan is not enough, everyone knows China is behind the doings of Pakistan,” he added. 

“Modi led the country to pit,” he said.

Mr. Raut called the current status of Independent India painful, as certain marginalised and vulnerable communities still live in poverty. “Freedom has not reached these communities, despite 10 years in power. The Prime Minister is giving 10 kg of foodgrains to buy votes. Since 2014, the country has been put in a dughole.“