Opposition slams PM Modi for ‘hollow words’ in ‘scripted’ interview

The Congress on Sunday (February 15, 2026) dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interview with news agency Press Trust of India as “no interview at all”, describing it as a “carefully scripted” and “desperate PR exercise”. The Left criticised Mr. Modi for comments divorced from micro-realities of the Indian economy, while the Trinamool Congress said the Prime Minister spoke “hollow words”. 

Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh alleged that the Prime Minister, “under siege and attack” over what he termed a surrender to the U.S. on a trade deal, was once again resorting to his “favourite tactic” of headline management.

Calling the Union Budget a “damp squib”, Mr. Ramesh said it clearly shows “every sign of intellectual exhaustion”. “Markets have reacted negatively and investors have been unimpressed. This is why the Prime Minister feels the need to give an interview a fortnight after the Budget was presented and days after it was taken apart by the Opposition in Parliament,” he said.

Mr. Ramesh took a swipe at Mr. Modi’s remarks in the interview, saying they were marked by “Modi-style one-liners that mean little in reality”. He accused the Prime Minister of attempting to divert attention from what he called a “betrayal” of lakhs of farmers and other “capitulations”. “His so-called interview is no interview, but a carefully scripted and desperate PR exercise,” Mr. Ramesh said, adding, “Pradhan Mantri jhuke bhi hain, aur thake bhi hain. (Prime Minister has surrendered and is tired.)” 

Trinamool Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’ Brien branded Mr. Modi’s comments as “hollow words”. “More hollow words from PM Modi, aka Teleprompter Tycoon who runs away from speaking on the floor of Parliament,” he said.

CPI general secretary D. Raja called Mr. Modi’s remarks a mockery of the “toiling masses” who are facing an unprecedented distress. “PM should stop this rhetoric, he must be realistic and reasonable in addressing the concerns and issues of the nations. He does not seem to be familiar with micro-realities of the economy and the country,” he said.

Mr. Raja added that despite the interview, there is still no clarity on how the recent trade deals with E.U. and U.S. will pull out the unemployed youth of the country from a gloomy future, and help industries.

The Opposition’s remarks came after Mr. Modi, in an interview with PTI, said this year’s Budget was not a “now or never” moment born out of compulsion, but a “we are ready” moment shaped by preparation and inspiration. The Prime Minister said the Budget reflected India’s “yearning” to become a developed nation.

Former Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said Mr. Modi’s charge of “poor economic management” during Manmohan Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister is “unfair and incorrect”.

“During the UPA Government, India’s economy grew rapidly and registered an average annual GDP growth over 8%. Indian economy withstood the global meltdown following the 2008 Banking and financial crash and rebounded quickly. Dr. Singh’s wisdom was sought by the world leaders to manage the crisis,” he said in a series of posts on X.

The former Commerce Minister said India signed trade deals as “Sovereign equals”. Acknowledging the trade agreements reached with E.U., U.K. and Australia, Mr. Sharma said, “the sellout Interim trade deal with U.S. is shrouded in opacity”.