Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Congress-led Opposition, saying during the UPA regime, India became poorer compared to other countries in the developing world. He said from 1998 to 2004, former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee took India’s per capita GDP from 30 to 25 per cent, but “unfortunately” in 2004, UPA brought it down to 30 per cent.
In an exclusive interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, News18 Kannada Editor Hariprasad and News18 Lokmat anchor Vilas Bade, PM Modi said: “In 1998, India’s per capita GDP was around 30 per cent, compared to others in the peer group. At that time, Atal ji’s government was in power. From 1998 to 2004, Atal ji took this figure from 30 per cent to 35 per cent. It was a good progress.”
“But unfortunately, in 2004, this khichdi company came and this khichdi company ruined the work of Atal ji. They brought the number down from 35 per cent to 30 per cent. All these countries [in the peer group] performed better than India. During the UPA regime, India became poorer compared to the other countries in the developing world. Those poorer than us went ahead,” the Prime Minister said.
After 2014, India’s income grew faster compared to other countries
PM Modi further said the government led by him came to power in 2014 and till 2019, India’s per capita GDP rose to 37 per cent.
“And when I reached the year 2024, this figure was 42 per cent. That means our income has grown very fast as compared to other countries of the world. If you look at the inflation rate in the period of 10 years, which is discussed so much, then these 10 years have seen the lowest inflation,” he said, adding: “What I am saying is on the basis of reality.”
‘Want to move very fast, take India along with me’
“We have achieved this after a lot of hard work. We have mobilised the entire government, and we have put in our best efforts to achieve the target. Despite that, what does Modi say? Modi says this is just a trailer, I have to go further. I want to move very fast, taking the country along with me,” the Prime Minister said.
From Fragile 5, India now is a vibrant economy
The Prime Minister went on to say that “Fragile 5 used to be the headline” for India before 2014, but “today, we have become a vibrant economy.”
“In IMF (International Monetary Fund), there is a group of 150 countries of the world — which includes China and India — which we can call developing countries or countries with an emerging economy. They analysed such a group by classifying them together. It is a very interesting observation,” PM Modi said.
He went on to say that his government has done work for the welfare of society. “The biggest difference in this government [compared to previous ones] is that last-mile delivery is our specialty.”
“See, no government is formed to do bad, it wants to do good. Some people know how to do good for others, some people wait for good things to happen. I am a person who believes in working hard and getting things done,” the Prime Minister said.
‘Want to build 3 crore more houses’
Prime Minister Modi also said as soon as his third term starts, he wants to take this work forward. “I want to build three crore more houses,” he said.
“Now, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana is the world’s largest health insurance and health assurance scheme. This is the assurance of treatment to 55 crore people. It is an assurance that Modi’s government is with you,” the Prime Minister said.
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During UPA, India became poorer in the developing world, those poorer than us went ahead: PM Modi
