Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee Disrupting India’s Progress : Giriraj Singh

SURAT: Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh launched a sharp attack on opposition leaders in Surat, accusing them of attempting to disrupt India’s progress. At the same time, he announced that the PM MITRA textile park is expected to be ready by 2027, offering a major boost to the region’s textile industry.

Speaking after a meeting with textile industrialists at the Surat Circuit House, Singh targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He called Gandhi “Lal Babua” and described Banerjee as an “Urban Naxal”, alleging that Gandhi was following her political approach.

Singh also mocked the Congress-Aam Aadmi Party alliance as the “Lizard Party”. He questioned opposition leaders over their protests in Delhi and asked why they remained silent on issues in other states, including Punjab, Karnataka and Kerala.

The minister claimed that opposition-led agitations had failed to derail India’s progress. His remarks came amid a wider political confrontation between the BJP and opposition parties.

PM MITRA Park Targeted for 2027

Turning to the textile sector, Singh said the PM MITRA park would be ready by 2027. He claimed the seven proposed parks could attract investments of ₹10 lakh crore to ₹15 lakh crore and generate substantial employment.

Addressing concerns over water consumption and chemical use in Surat’s textile processing units, Singh said machines based on the “Less Water, Less Chemical” approach had been developed under the Make in India initiative. These would be prioritised for the greenfield project to support zero liquid discharge (ZLD).

He stressed that micro, small and medium enterprises account for around 80% of the textile sector and assured industrialists that their interests would remain important to the government.

Minister Praises Surat’s Textile Quality

Praising Surat’s textile manufacturers, Singh said the city’s polyester yarns and fabrics had reached a quality level where they could be difficult to distinguish from linen.

He urged entrepreneurs to focus on international markets and expand exports.

On the economy, Singh credited the Modi government with managing fuel prices amid global turmoil. He also said the abrogation of Article 370 had strengthened national security, claiming that India had moved beyond the era of frequent bomb blasts.

The minister’s visit combined political attacks on the opposition with assurances of investment, technology and export-led growth for Surat’s textile industry.