Congress, TMC slam Modi government over UGC’s ‘selfie points’ directive

NEW DELHI: The Congress slammed the Centre on Saturday over the UGC asking universities and colleges to set up selfie points to highlight “transformative initiatives propelling India’s growth”, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leaving no stone unturned to save his “flailing image” in the run-up to next year’s Lok Sabha polls.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O’Brien also took a dig at the BJP-led Centre in a post on X and said: “PM = Photo Mantri. Mr @narendramodi Did You Know, UGC has asked universities to set up ‘selfie points’ with your image in the background.”

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said at the fag end of 10 years, the people of India are sick and tired of this “obnoxious level of self-promotion” and will give a suitable answer very soon.

Sharing a media report on X on the University Grants Commission (UGC) asking universities and colleges to set up selfie points, Ramesh said, “Our selfie-obsessed and self-obsessed PM is so insecure in the run-up to Lok Sabha polls that he’s leaving no stone unturned to save his flailing image.”

“First, it was the Army being asked to set up selfie points. Then, he asked IAS officers and other senior govt officials to take out ‘Rath Yatras’. Now, he has directed UGC to set up selfie points in all universities,” he said.

“Earlier, he hijacked the Chandrayaan-III landing by appearing on the live feed. Before that, he pasted his face onto all COVID-19 vaccine certificates,” Ramesh said, adding that these are only a few examples that reflect the man’s tremendous insecurities and the “sickening sycophancy” around him.