February 6, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a fresh attack on the Congress party during his speech in the Rajya Sabha, asserting that expecting "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" from the party would be a grave mistake. Responding to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, PM Modi accused the Congress of prioritizing a single family over national interests, reinforcing his party’s stance of "nation first."

"Congress is not capable of ensuring inclusive development. Their entire model is centered around 'family first' rather than 'nation first'," he stated, in a direct reference to the Gandhi family.

PM Modi highlighted that his government had chosen a governance model based on "santushtikaran" (satisfaction) rather than "tushtikaran" (appeasement). He claimed that the BJP had introduced an alternative style of governance after 2014 that focused on fulfilling people's needs rather than catering to selective vote banks.

The Prime Minister also took aim at Rahul Gandhi's push for a caste-based census, cautioning that attempts were being made to "spread caste poison in society." He pointed out that while OBC MPs across parties had long demanded Constitutional status for the OBC panel, Congress had rejected it for political reasons, whereas the BJP had granted it.

Defending the BJP against accusations of undermining the Constitution, PM Modi turned the tables on the Congress, accusing the party of "hating" Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution. "Congress never considered Baba Saheb worthy of the Bharat Ratna award and even tried to defeat him in elections. But today, due to political compulsions, they are raising the slogan of 'Jai Bheem'," he remarked.

He cited historical instances where Ambedkar was defeated in elections by Congress candidates – first in 1952 in Bombay (North) and later in the 1954 by-election in Bhandara – to back his claim that the party had consistently sidelined the Dalit icon.

With the general elections inching closer, PM Modi's sharp remarks set the tone for an intense political battle, as the BJP and Congress continue to spar over governance models, caste politics, and historical narratives.