PM Modi recalls Gujarat's top ranking, says Delhi pressured researchers over report

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday alleged that the then government at the Centre had pressured researchers to seek its approval before publishing reports after Gujarat secured the top position in an economic performance ranking during his tenure as Chief Minister.

Addressing the India Today Group's Kisan Tak Bharat Agriculture Conference 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, PM Modi recalled the episode while taking a swipe at Opposition leaders over their remarks on democracy and constitutional values.

"Some people take the Constitution out of their pockets these days. They think the country's Constitution and democracy belong in their pockets. Even when they are not in government, they carry a different kind of intoxication with power," PM Modi said.

He then recalled how Gujarat had topped an economic performance ranking when he was the state's Chief Minister. He said the ranking was conducted by an organisation named after a former Prime Minister and was based on research by some of the country's leading economists.

The Prime Minister did not name the organisation or the former Prime Minister, saying the hint was enough for people to identify it.

"Those in power in Delhi at the time could not accept Gujarat receiving that recognition. They formally instructed the researchers that this would not work and that no report could be published without first obtaining their approval," he said.

Taking another swipe at the Opposition, Modi said the same people who were now lecturing others on tolerance and democracy had acted differently when they were in power.PM MODI SAYS FARMERS' ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE GROWN

Turning to agriculture, the Prime Minister said Indian farmers had made considerable progress over the years, but more efforts were needed to achieve the goal of a developed India.

He stressed the need to make agriculture modern, productive and profitable while empowering farmers through technology, crop diversification and new income opportunities.

PM Modi also said the government would consider the suggestions and solutions emerging from the two-day Kisan Tak Bharat Agriculture Conference.

The conference, organised by the India Today Group under the theme 'Smart Kisan, Viksit Bharat', brought together farmers, policymakers, agricultural scientists, entrepreneurs and industry representatives to discuss the future of Indian agriculture.- Ends