Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday, 13 June launched a sharp political offensive against the Indian National Congress at a press event in Bhopal, accusing the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of staying silent when soldiers were beheaded during cross-border infiltrations. Speaking at the Kushabhau Thakre Conference Hall, Yadav framed the gathering as an assessment of 12 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led governance against what he called the 'historic blunders' of the UPA era.

Silence on Soldiers: The Central Charge

Yadav invoked Swami Vivekananda's vision of the 21st century as India's century, arguing it could never be realised under what he described as the 'weak and hesitant' UPA dispensation. He alleged that even when infiltrations occurred and soldiers were beheaded, the Manmohan Singh-led government chose silence over decisive action — a charge that drew the sharpest applause from the audience.

Contrasting that posture with the current administration, Yadav cited the air strikes and the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman as evidence of India's transformed response to terrorism under Modi. 'India now strikes back inside enemy territory when provoked,' he said, according to reports.

Jabs at Congress Leadership

In a veiled but unmistakable reference to Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Yadav used the nickname 'Pappu' and recalled the incident in which Gandhi tore cabinet papers, calling it 'unprecedented in history.' He further alleged that during Sonia Gandhi's tenure as UPA chairperson, even sitting prime ministers had to seek her approval on minor decisions — a practice he argued exposed the Congress party's disregard for democratic norms.

Yadav also criticised Congress leaders for questioning Lord Ram's birthplace before the Supreme Court, noting that the eventual verdict cleared the path for the Ram Mandir's reconstruction in Ayodhya.

Constitutional and Cultural Critique

The Chief Minister recalled how past Congress governments had amended the Constitution 'at will' and imposed the Emergency after Indira Gandhi's election was declared void by the courts. He praised the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and PM Modi, describing the past 12 years as a 'glorious chapter for Sanatan culture' and citing the New Education Policy as a milestone of the current era.

Drawing on Madhya Pradesh's own heritage, Yadav referenced the restoration of a 2,000-year-old temple from the Vikramaditya era, reportedly demolished by Babur, and noted that a similar judgment on the Bhojshala in Dhar came after 750 years — underscoring, in his view, the Modi government's respect for judicial decisions.

Development Record on Display

Concluding his address, Yadav credited PM Modi's tenure with measurable progress across public welfare, infrastructure, digitalisation, women's empowerment, farmer welfare, employment, and technology. He argued that since 2014, India had shifted from being 'a passive observer to a decisive global force,' framing Madhya Pradesh's own trajectory as part of a broader national renaissance.

The event, organised to mark 12 years of the Modi-led government, signals that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh intends to keep the UPA's security record at the centre of its political narrative heading into future electoral cycles.