Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked 12 years of the NDA government by sharply criticising the Indian National Congress, arguing that India's historically slow economic growth was wrongly described as the "Hindu growth rate" and should instead have been called the "Congress growth rate."
Addressing a gathering of NDA leaders in New Delhi after becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister in terms of uninterrupted tenure, Modi said one of the alliance's greatest achievements was freeing the country from what he described as the legacy of Congress-era governance. According to him, previous governments created an environment where citizens were led to believe that rapid development was impossible and that India could only progress at a slow pace.
The Prime Minister argued that the term "Hindu growth rate" unfairly associated economic underperformance with India's majority community, while the actual responsibility for policy failures rested with Congress governments. He said the governance style, decision-making failures, and lack of direction belonged to Congress administrations, yet the resulting economic stagnation was attributed elsewhere. In his view, the phrase should have reflected the political leadership responsible for those outcomes rather than being linked to religion.
Modi stated that Congress's rule was characterised by weak governance, policy paralysis, lack of intent, and an absence of decisive action. He claimed these factors contributed to slow growth, public frustration, and a sense of helplessness among citizens. By contrast, he said the NDA had demonstrated that large-scale development could be achieved through political stability, effective governance, and a clear vision.
Recalling the NDA's rise to power in 2014, Modi said the public had placed its trust in the alliance after becoming disappointed with Congress governments. He noted that the hope generated during the NDA's first term had now evolved into greater confidence among citizens, who had witnessed the impact of policies implemented with what he described as the right intentions.
Highlighting the government's achievements, Modi said that more than 250 million people had been lifted out of poverty during the NDA's tenure. He also pointed to India's growing focus on strategic sectors such as semiconductors, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, battery storage, drones, space technology, and data centres. According to him, self-reliance in these sectors is essential because they are closely connected to both economic growth and national security.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the principle of "Nation First" had guided major policy decisions over the past twelve years. He cited the abrogation of Article 370, efforts to bring peace to the Northeast, and India's responses to terrorism as examples of decisions that previous governments had avoided but which the NDA was willing to undertake.
Discussing national security, Modi said India no longer responds passively to terrorist attacks. He referenced military actions such as surgical strikes, air strikes, and Operation Sindoor as evidence of a more assertive approach. He argued that these actions had demonstrated India's resolve and strengthened its global standing.
Modi also highlighted measures aimed at supporting the middle class, including income tax relief and reforms designed to simplify tax administration. He noted that annual income up to ₹12 lakh is now tax-free and said the government has worked to create a simpler and more transparent taxation system.
The Prime Minister completed 4,399 consecutive days in office, surpassing the uninterrupted tenure record previously held by Jawaharlal Nehru, who served 4,398 continuous days after India's first general election. Modi said he viewed the milestone not as a personal accomplishment but as a collective achievement of the NDA and party workers. He thanked alliance partners for their support and urged leaders to continue working toward the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047.
The NDA conclave focused on reviewing the alliance's governance record, discussing future development priorities, and outlining a roadmap for India's long-term economic and strategic growth.
