Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address at the Kisan Tak Bharat Agriculture Conference on Thursday, accused some opposition leaders of treating the Constitution and democracy as personal assets. He suggested that these leaders exhibit a sense of entitlement even when they are not in power. Modi’s remarks were made in the context of a broader critique of the political landscape in India.

Modi stated, “These days, some people take the Constitution out of their pockets and think that the country’s Constitution and democracy are in their pockets.” This comment was perceived as a direct reference to opposition figures, implying that they misuse their political legacy for personal gain.

Continuing his critique, Modi remarked on the peculiar behaviour of certain leaders who, despite being out of government, still act as if they hold power. He described this attitude as a “strange kind of intoxication with power,” highlighting the disconnect between their current status and their past authority.

Recalling Gujarat’s Economic Achievements

In his speech, Modi reflected on his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, noting that the state had achieved the top position in an economic performance ranking from an organisation named after a former Prime Minister. He emphasised that this ranking was based on research conducted by prominent economists in the country.

However, Modi alleged that the recognition of Gujarat’s economic success was met with resistance from the political establishment in Delhi at that time. He claimed that officials in the central government instructed researchers to seek approval before publishing any reports that highlighted Gujarat’s achievements.

This anecdote served to illustrate what Modi described as attempts by the central government to influence the dissemination of research findings that acknowledged Gujarat’s economic performance. He asserted that such actions were indicative of a broader issue regarding the treatment of state-level successes by the central authority.

Growth in Agriculture and Poverty Reduction

Shifting focus to the agricultural sector, Modi reported that India’s farm sector had achieved an average annual growth rate exceeding 4 per cent over the past decade. He noted that this was the first time since Independence that such sustained growth had been realised in agriculture.

He cited a World Bank study indicating that approximately 50 crore individuals had escaped poverty in the last 12 to 13 years, with small farmers and agricultural labourers among those benefiting from this progress. Modi highlighted that rural areas had experienced a significant reduction in poverty levels.

Modi also pointed out India’s growing presence in global agricultural markets, noting that the country’s annual agricultural exports had surpassed INR 4 lakh crore. He mentioned that India is the largest producer of milk, pulses, and millets, while also ranking highly in the production of rice, wheat, cotton, vegetables, and fish.

In addition, he discussed advancements in allied agricultural activities, such as honey production and horticulture. Modi revealed that honey production had increased from around 80,000 tonnes to 1.5 lakh tonnes, while horticulture output had risen from 280 million tonnes to over 350 million tonnes.

Light-Hearted Remarks on Media Coverage

During his address, Modi made a humorous observation regarding media coverage of his speech, suggesting that journalists might be anticipating a negative headline. He remarked, “People from Aaj Tak must be thinking that they haven’t got a negative headline so far.” This comment was made in jest, indicating his awareness of media dynamics.

He suggested that his discussion had focused on national issues, implying that the media may not have found his statements controversial enough to generate sensational headlines. This light-hearted comment added a touch of levity to an otherwise serious discourse on governance and agricultural progress.

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