Congress Calls Modi Government Policies Anti-People Amid Growing Inflation Concerns

The Congress on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi-led government over rising inflation, accusing it of pursuing "anti-people policies" that are pushing the country towards an economic crisis. The remarks came after wholesale price inflation climbed to 9.87% in June, marking the highest level in several months and triggering criticism from the opposition party.

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that the latest inflation figures reflected what he described as the government's failure to manage economic challenges. In a post on X, Ramesh said the party had repeatedly warned the Centre about the impact of rising prices and economic pressures over the past few months. He demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi address concerns over inflation and what the Congress termed the government's "economic failure."

Highlighting the latest data, Ramesh said India was witnessing its worst wholesale inflation level in 44 months, with fuel and electricity prices rising significantly. He claimed that a 27.4% increase in fuel and electricity prices had added to pressure on households, businesses and farmers. According to him, the combination of higher costs and weak economic indicators was creating difficulties for ordinary citizens across the country.

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The Congress leader also raised concerns over agricultural conditions, stating that farm sowing had fallen to a three-year low. He said farmers were facing a dual challenge due to government policies and adverse weather conditions. Food inflation increased to 5.49% in June, compared with 3.60% in May, according to available data, as food prices rose following rainfall shortages linked to the El Nino weather phenomenon. Rising input costs and uncertain weather patterns have added further pressure on the agriculture sector.

Ramesh said inflation was also affecting industries by increasing operational expenses and creating additional challenges for businesses. He alleged that while key economic indicators were showing warning signs, the government was focusing on presenting favourable narratives rather than addressing the underlying problems. He accused the Centre of attempting to divert attention from inflation-related concerns instead of taking corrective measures.

"The latest wholesale inflation data stands as stark evidence of the Modi government's economic mismanagement and failure," Ramesh said, calling for greater accountability from the government. The Congress has repeatedly targeted the Centre over issues related to prices, unemployment and economic management, making inflation a key point of political criticism.

The government has not yet responded to the latest allegations by the Congress. Economists note that inflation trends are influenced by multiple factors, including global commodity prices, weather conditions, supply chain disruptions, fuel costs and domestic demand. As price pressures continue to remain a concern, economic indicators and government measures to control inflation are expected to remain a major focus of political debate ahead of upcoming policy decisions.

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