Opposition Leaders Drawn to NDA and BJP Due to Development Politics: Hardeep Singh Puri

New Delhi, June 10: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri commented on the political landscape in West Bengal and the future of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). He stated that development politics is gaining public support, leading leaders from various parties to gravitate towards the BJP and NDA.

In response to discussions about potential fractures within the TMC and some MPs contacting BJP leaders, Puri emphasized that the public desires development. The BJP has received widespread support on development issues in the general elections of 2014, 2019, and 2024. According to him, many political activists and leaders in West Bengal are beginning to see alignment with the NDA as a better option for the state’s development.

Puri noted that the BJP’s development-focused political approach is not new, but the party previously lacked the opportunity for long-term governance. He referenced the coalition governments during the tenures of former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Morarji Desai, which did not last long. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, however, the pace of development has taken a new direction over the past 12 years.

Regarding the Indian citizens residing in Iran, Puri advised them to remain vigilant and to leave if necessary, highlighting that the safety of citizens is the government’s top priority in times of war or conflict. He recalled the evacuation campaign during the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, where 26,000 to 30,000 Indian students were stranded in Ukraine. Following Prime Minister Modi’s directives, several central ministers were dispatched to neighboring countries to ensure the safe return of all students.

On the topic of regional security and defense technology, Puri remarked on the increasing role of drone technology in modern warfare. He explained that timely policy decisions have allowed India to become less reliant on imports and to advance rapidly in the development of indigenous drone technology. This, he stated, has strengthened the country’s defense capabilities and promoted self-reliance.