New Delhi, Jan 30 (NationPress) The BJP criticized the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday, claiming he is casting doubt and attempting to tarnish India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, especially in the manufacturing domain.

In a statement to IANS, BJP National Spokesperson Tuhin Sinha accused Rahul Gandhi of persistently questioning and undermining India's manufacturing prowess.

“Rahul Gandhi has been consistently generating skepticism and attempting to tarnish India’s Make in India initiative in the manufacturing domain. He frequently asserts that manufacturing in India is insignificant and that the Make in India program is a total failure,” Sinha stated.

Referring to a video Gandhi shared approximately six months ago, Sinha pointed out that the Congress leader criticized Indian drone manufacturers, making unfavorable comparisons with their Chinese counterparts.

“In that video, Rahul Gandhi claimed that Indian drones are inferior to Chinese drones. This prompted me to personally visit several manufacturing units to assess the real situation,” he explained.

Sinha mentioned that instead of focusing on large corporations, he opted to visit a small drone manufacturing facility near Delhi.

“I intentionally did not visit major players. I chose a small drone manufacturing firm to grasp the process. What I observed in the MSME sector was quite impressive. High-quality drones of various types are being produced in India under the Make in India initiative,” he asserted.

Emphasizing the sector's growth potential, the BJP spokesperson highlighted that the Indian drone industry is currently valued at around Rs 1 billion and is anticipated to expand significantly in the coming years.

“The efforts of Indian entrepreneurs are truly commendable. The role of MSMEs in making India self-reliant, or Aatmanirbhar, is substantial and warrants recognition,” Sinha stated.

Questioning Gandhi’s motives, Sinha inquired why the Congress leader is allegedly defaming Indian drone manufacturers, the defense sector, and MSMEs.

“Is he looking to support foreign entities? Does he wish for India to remain reliant on other nations? The Leader of the Opposition should reflect. Instead of making such comments, he ought to encourage small businesses and manufacturers who are crucial in constructing an Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” he added.

Additionally, in February 2025, Rahul Gandhi used a Chinese-manufactured DJI drone, which is prohibited in India and often associated with drug trafficking along India's borders.

Gandhi uploaded a 9.15-minute video titled “Industrial Vision for India” on social media, featuring him operating what he referred to as a Chinese-manufactured DJI drone. In the video, Gandhi remarked that drone technology is transforming warfare, citing Ukraine as an example. He criticized the BJP government for failing to comprehend this technology that integrates batteries, cameras, motors, and optics to revolutionize warfare.