Congress Slams PM Over UPI Credit, Says Modi ‘Takes All the Glory’

Spread the love

Congress Targets PM Over UPI Credit Row

Opposition Questions Prime Minister’s Claim to Recognition

The Indian National Congress has launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of taking undue credit for the success of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The criticism came shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron praised India’s digital payments system during the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, highlighting its global significance and transformative impact.

Reacting to the praise, Congress leader Pawan Khera, who heads the party’s media and publicity department, compared the Prime Minister to “a classmate who does no work but shows up to take all the credit.” The remark quickly gained traction on social media and intensified the political debate surrounding the origins and expansion of UPI.

Macron Applauds India’s Digital Payments Revolution

During his address at the summit, Macron commended India’s strides in digital financial inclusion. He noted how small vendors and shopkeepers, who once struggled with access to banking services, are now able to accept seamless digital payments through mobile devices. Macron described UPI as a model of innovation that has significantly improved financial accessibility across the country.

Prime Minister Modi, speaking at the same event, emphasised how UPI has simplified transactions for millions of Indians and strengthened the digital economy. He reiterated that the platform has empowered small businesses, enhanced transparency, and positioned India as a global leader in real-time payment systems.

Congress Credits UPA Government for Conceptualisation

In response, the Congress party stressed that the groundwork for UPI was laid during the tenure of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. According to the party, discussions around building a mobile-based digital payments infrastructure began as early as 2012–2013.

Congress leaders pointed to the role of Nandan Nilekani, who was associated with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) at the time, and the efforts of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in developing the foundational framework that later evolved into UPI. They argue that while the current government expanded and popularised the system, its conceptual origins predate the Modi administration.

Political Debate Over Ownership of Innovation

The controversy reflects a broader political contest over credit for landmark reforms and technological advancements. Congress leaders claim that the BJP government often highlights implementation while downplaying the contributions of previous administrations. The ruling party, however, maintains that UPI’s rapid expansion, global outreach, and widespread adoption have occurred under Modi’s leadership.

UPI today processes billions of transactions each month and has become a benchmark for digital payment systems worldwide. Its international recognition, including praise from global leaders, has amplified the domestic debate over who deserves acknowledgment for its success.

Technology, Governance and Public Perception

As UPI continues to gain international attention, the political exchange underscores how major technological achievements can become focal points of partisan rivalry. While the system’s benefits to citizens remain widely acknowledged, the question of credit has become central to the ongoing political narrative.

The debate highlights the intersection of innovation, governance, and political messaging in contemporary India, with both sides striving to shape public perception of one of the country’s most celebrated digital success stories.