Bhopal, June 13 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav launched a blistering attack on the Congress party on Saturday, accusing its leadership of weakening India’s democratic foundations and undermining national interests.

He invoked Swami Vivekananda’s vision of the 21st century as India’s century, contrasting it with what he described as the “indecisive governance” of the Manmohan Singh era.

Yadav said he often wondered how such a vision could be realised if the “weak and hesitant” UPA government continued in power. He pointed out that even when infiltrations occurred and brave soldiers were beheaded, the UPA government chose silence over action.

In a veiled swipe at the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Yadav mocked him as “Pappu”, recalling the incident when he tore cabinet papers. He described it as unprecedented in history that even prime ministers had to wait for Sonia Gandhi’s approval on minor decisions, a practice he argued revealed the Congress party’s disregard for democratic norms.

At a press meet organised on Saturday at the Kushabhau Thakre Conference Hall in Bhopal to highlight achievements during 12 years of PM Modi‑led government, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav delivered a strongly worded address comparing “historic blunders” of the previous UPA regime with the achievements of the contemporary development‑oriented, “decisive” government.

He again invoked Swami Vivekananda’s vision, contrasting it with what he described as the “indecisive governance of the Manmohan Singh‑led UPA era”, when infiltrations and beheaded soldiers went unanswered.

Making a veiled reference to LoP Rahul Gandhi, Yadav criticised the tearing of cabinet papers, calling it “unprecedented in history”. He further alleged that during Sonia Gandhi’s tenure as UPA chairperson, even prime ministers had to wait for her nod on minor decisions, which he said undermined democratic functioning.

Yadav praised the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing the past twelve years as a “glorious chapter for Sanatan culture”. He highlighted the New Education Policy and cultural renaissance as milestones of this era, while recalling how past Congress governments amended the Constitution at will and imposed the Emergency after Indira Gandhi’s election was declared void by the courts.

He also criticised Congress leaders for questioning Lord Ram’s birthplace in the Supreme Court, noting that the eventual verdict paved the way for the Ram Mandir’s reconstruction.

The Chief Minister drew parallels with Madhya Pradesh’s own heritage, citing the restoration of a 2,000‑year‑old temple from the Vikramaditya era, demolished by Babur, as part of a centuries‑long struggle. He emphasised that the Ayodhya verdict resolved a 500‑year‑old dispute with no disturbance in the country, while a similar judgment on Bhojshala in Dhar came after 750 years, underscoring the PM Modi‑led government’s respect for judicial decisions.

Turning to national security, Yadav lauded PM Modi’s leadership in transforming India’s response to terrorism. He cited the air strikes and the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman as examples of India’s new assertiveness, declaring that the country now strikes back inside enemy territory when provoked.

Concluding his remarks, Yadav credited PM Modi’s tenure with remarkable progress in public welfare, infrastructure, digitalisation, women’s empowerment, farmer welfare, employment and technology. He said that since 2014, India had moved from being a passive observer to a decisive global force, framing Madhya Pradesh’s journey as part of a larger national renaissance.

–IANS

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