Congress President Kharge Criticizes BJP’s Economic Policies, Challenges Modi to Address Real Issues
New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has launched a scathing critique of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that its “anti-people” policies are significantly damaging India’s economy. During a press conference on Monday, Kharge challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to focus on pressing issues affecting ordinary citizens in his upcoming election rallies instead of resorting to “lies” about the opposition.
Kharge stated that the current economic turmoil is a direct result of the government’s mismanagement, claiming that ordinary citizens are being “looted of their last paisa.” He expressed concern that the festive season has failed to uplift the economy, which continues to struggle with low consumption, high inflation, rising inequality, dampened investment, and stagnant wages. “Fake narratives cannot be a substitute for real welfare,” he remarked on the social media platform X.
Highlighting alarming economic indicators, Kharge pointed to food inflation, which stands at 9.2%, and noted a significant surge in vegetable prices, which rose from 10.7% in August to a staggering 36% in September 2024. He also referenced a sharp decline in demand within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, with sales growth plummeting from 10.1% to just 2.8% over the past year.
The Congress leader emphasized the detrimental impact of rising prices and heavy taxation on the poor and middle class, stating that these factors are contributing to a “missing middle class” syndrome. He claimed that household savings have reached a 50-year low and highlighted a decline in consumption due to escalating food prices. For example, the food and beverage sector, which previously enjoyed double-digit growth, has now fallen to just 1.5-2%.
Kharge cited data from the Finance Ministry, indicating a 2.3% contraction in automobile sales, alongside a 19% drop in passenger vehicle sales in September. He noted that sales of two-wheelers, a critical indicator of rural economic health, have yet to recover to pre-2018 levels.
Additionally, he criticized the stagnation of real wages for laborers, asserting that they have remained virtually unchanged from 2014 to 2023, with inflation-adjusted wages increasing by less than 1% during that period.
In his remarks, Kharge accused Modi of disregarding hard data and mastering the “art of fakery,” asserting that the BJP’s policies are corroding the economy. He reiterated the Congress party’s commitment to addressing the real issues faced by the populace, urging Modi to engage in a meaningful discussion about the economic challenges that citizens confront daily.
As the Congress party continues to challenge the government’s economic narrative, Kharge’s statements reflect a broader concern over rising unemployment and increasing prices, positioning the economy as a critical issue in the lead-up to upcoming elections.
