'Carefully scripted, desperate PR exercise': Cong slams PM Modi's interview

"As usual, there are Modi-style one-liners that mean little in reality," the Congress leader said Home / Politics / 'Carefully scripted, desperate PR exercise': Cong slams PM Modi's interview'Carefully scripted, desperate PR exercise': Cong slams PM Modi's interview"As usual, there are Modi-style one-liners that mean little in reality," the Congress leader saidFile Photo: Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam RameshPress Trust of India New Delhi 2 min read Last Updated : Feb 15 2026 | 7:44 PM ISTListen to This Article The Congress on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interview with PTI was "no interview" and claimed that it was a "carefully scripted" as well as "desperate PR exercise". Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh further alleged that, being "under siege and attack because of his surrender to the US on the trade deal", the prime minister is now resorting to his "favourite tactic" of headline management. "The PM knows that this year's Budget has been a damp squib and shows every sign of intellectual exhaustion. Markets have reacted negatively and investors have been unimpressed. Hence, he feels the need to give an interview a fortnight after the Budget was presented and a few days after it was taken apart by the Opposition in Parliament," Ramesh said. "As usual, there are Modi-style one-liners that mean little in reality," the Congress leader said. Ramesh claimed that Modi is trying to divert attention away from his "betrayal" of lakhs of farmers and other "capitulations".Also Read Budget shunned populism, bets on capex to power jobs and growth: PM ModiWitnessing betrayal of farmers in name of US trade deal: Rahul GandhiCabinet nod to multi-tracking projects will reduce logistical cost: PMBNP thanks PM Modi, says 'eager to engage constructively with India'Cabinet approves ₹1 trn Urban Challenge Fund to drive urban transformation "His so-called interview is no interview, but a carefully scripted and desperate PR exercise," Ramesh said. "Pradhan Mantri jhuke bhi hain, aur thake bhi hain," he added. His remarks came after Prime Minister 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 born out of preparation and inspiration. Modi asserted that the Budget reflects India's "yearning" to become a developed nation. Modi said none of his government's budgets has been made with an attitude of creating a run-of-the-mill 'bahi khata' documents as "that is not our approach". Recalling that a few years ago, he had declared from the ramparts of the Red Fort that 'Yahi Samay Hai, Sahi Samay Hai', Modi said a "now is the time" sense of purpose has always been there within his government.(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)More From This SectionStormy first leg of Budget session over; Lok Sabha to meet again on March 9Rahul meets farm union leaders, discusses movement against US trade dealIndia-US trade deal to benefit farmers with higher farm exports: GoyalRahul Gandhi meets farm leaders, voices concern over India-US trade dealWill PM listen or 'grip' on him too strong: Rahul Gandhi slams US dealTopics : Narendra Modi Jairam Ramesh Congress Union Budget Budget 2026Don't miss the most important news and views of the day. Get them on our Telegram channelFirst Published: Feb 15 2026 | 7:43 PM IST