The Congress party on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of scripting his interactions with the media, asserting that unlike his predecessors, he lacks the courage to hold press conferences without prior instructions. In a post on X, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh pointed out that leaders around the world regularly conduct independent press conferences, yet there has not been a single press conference in India for the past 11 years.

Ramesh emphasized that heads of state in every country engage with the press periodically. However, it has been 11 years since our Prime Minister faced direct questions from journalists. During last year's election campaign, Modi produced, directed, and scripted media interactions, famously claiming to be 'non-biological.' Yet, he has never shown the courage to hold an unscripted, unedited press meeting.

He contrasted Modi's approach with that of previous Prime Ministers, whom he particularly dislikes, noting that they held press conferences almost every other month, where they faced tough questions and responded with seriousness and composure. Ramesh stated that the foundations of our democracy are strengthened through such traditions of dialogue. The question remains: after 11 years in office, why has Modi never voluntarily engaged with the media? There is no other Prime Minister or President globally who has avoided media interactions throughout their tenure. It has been 11 years without a single press conference or media interaction from him.

Ramesh further questioned why Modi does not engage with the media without a script, asking, 'Why has the Prime Minister been afraid for the past 11 years? Why not talk to the media? If your intentions are clear and you have nothing to hide, then meet with the journalists... Every Prime Minister has interacted with the press during their term.'