New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a playful dig at the opposition during an address. On Tuesday, he targeted the opposition by revisiting his “disgruntled uncle” (naraz phufaji) analogy a jibe aimed at leaders who question the development work undertaken by his government. PM Modi made these remarks at the ‘Namo for Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) event in Vadodara, Gujarat.
During the event, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth ₹35,000 crore. These government projects include a 2,800-kilometer-long dedicated rail freight corridor, which he hailed as a historic achievement of the 21st century. Highlighting the difference in working styles between BJP and Congress governments while discussing the corridor, PM Modi noted that the project was planned during the tenure of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee but saw very little progress under the Manmohan Singh-led government.
PM Modi takes the opposition to task
PM Modi stated that the freight corridor project was planned in 2004, yet no work was done on it until the BJP came to power in 2014. Without naming anyone, he took a dig at critics who questioned the project’s utility. He remarked that the “disgruntled uncles” would now shout, asking what would happen to truck drivers, where the trucks would go, and what would become of those who had purchased trucks.
He noted that the freight corridor is extending rail connectivity to areas that lacked such facilities even after independence, once again taking a dig at those who questioned the project’s usefulness. He further added that this project is part of a major effort to build an Indian supply chain aimed at strengthening ‘Atmanirbharata’ (self-reliance).
Taking another dig at the previous UPA government, PM Modi highlighted that India has manufactured 50,000 modern railway coaches since 2014, noting that the previous administration failed to build even 50,000 toilets over a span of 10 years. The Prime Minister stated that India is entering a new era of manufacturing spanning everything “from chips to ships” where both components and finished products are being produced domestically.
‘Phufa-ji’: The Latest Addition to Modi’s List of Monikers
PM Narendra Modi’s use of the term ‘Phufa-ji’ (a colloquial reference to an easily offended or perpetually disgruntled uncle) marks the latest entry in the list of satirical epithets he employs for his critics. He first used this term last week during the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce, where he also incorporated ‘Gen-Z’ lingo into his speech in an effort to connect with young voters.
At the event, he also took aim at those who questioned India’s better-than-expected GDP growth of 7.8 percent recorded in the first quarter of 2026-27, remarking that “people with a negative mindset” have turned opposing government initiatives into a sport.
