Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, accusing him of failing to deliver on the promises made under the “Make in India” initiative.
Taking to social media platform X, Gandhi said the much-touted manufacturing drive has failed to boost the economy or create jobs, as youth unemployment remains high and the manufacturing sector has declined to just 14% of the GDP.
“’Make in India’ promised a factory boom. So why is manufacturing at record lows, youth unemployment at record highs, and why have imports from China more than doubled? Modi ji has mastered the art of slogans, not solutions,” Rahul Gandhi posted, alongside a video highlighting economic concerns.
He also highlighted the struggles of young Indians. Sharing his conversation with Shivam and Saif, two young men from Nehru Place, New Delhi, Gandhi wrote that despite their skills and potential, they remain jobless.
“We assemble, we import, but we don’t build. China profits,” he added, criticizing the country’s overreliance on foreign imports and limited domestic production.
Gandhi also claimed that the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, once seen as a cornerstone of India’s industrial revival, is being quietly rolled back.
“With no new ideas, Modi ji has surrendered. Even the much-hyped PLI scheme is now being quietly rolled back. India needs a fundamental shift—one that empowers lakhs of producers through honest reforms and financial support,” he said.
He warned that without concrete steps to strengthen domestic industries, India will remain a marketplace for foreign goods.
“If we don’t build here, we’ll keep buying from those who do. The clock is ticking,” Gandhi concluded.
Launched in September 2014, the Make in India initiative aimed to turn India into a global manufacturing hub, boost employment, and attract foreign investment. However, Rahul Gandhi’s criticism suggests the Congress party sees the initiative as having failed to meet its core objectives.