Kharge Slams Modi Over 7.8% GDP Growth Claims, Cites Jobs and Inflation
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, criticising the central government's economic performance following the announcement of India's 7.8 per cent GDP growth for the April-June quarter.
Responding to a video statement released by Modi praising the country's economic expansion, Kharge said the government's promotional narrative did not reflect the reality experienced by ordinary citizens. Kharge characterised the administration's economic public relations as a story of "lights, camera and inaction."
Kharge accused the Prime Minister of celebrating GDP figures while common citizens struggled with economic distress. He argued that the public faced three major challenges: unprecedented unemployment, unbearable price rise, and unbridled inequality.
Highlighting employment concerns, the Congress chief stated that unemployment had reached a 50-year high, leaving 40 per cent of young graduates without work. He added that one in six Indians aged between 15 and 29 was unemployed in July 2026, asserting that the government's promise to generate two crore jobs each year remained unfulfilled.
On the issue of inflation, Kharge pointed out that retail inflation had touched a 19-month high. He noted significant price increases across essential kitchen commodities, including sugar, onions, tomatoes, pulses, cooking oil, rice, and milk. He added that rising costs for petrol, diesel, LPG, and CNG were placing severe financial pressure on middle-class and low-income households.
Addressing economic disparity, Kharge alleged that wealth concentration had intensified under the current administration, with the top 1 per cent holding 40 per cent of India's total wealth, while the bottom 50 per cent held only 15 per cent. He also criticised the write-off of over Rs 16 lakh crore in corporate loans since 2014, citing a recent case where creditors recovered Rs 6.5 crore against admitted claims of Rs 22,006 crore.
Kharge's statements followed remarks by Prime Minister Modi on Monday, in which he described the 7.8 per cent growth rate as a "Herculean feat" achieved despite global supply chain disruptions, geopolitical conflict, and global economic uncertainties.
