Congress Slams Modi Government’s Economic Policies, Warns of Growing Crisis

New Delhi, July 15: The Congress on Wednesday launched a fresh attack on the Narendra Modi-led government, alleging that the country is moving towards an economic crisis due to what it termed “anti-people policies”. The opposition party’s remarks came after official data showed wholesale price inflation rising sharply in June, intensifying concerns over price pressures across different sectors.

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said the latest inflation figures reflected serious economic challenges and accused the government of failing to address the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens, farmers and businesses.

In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh claimed that the Congress had repeatedly warned the Centre about the worsening economic situation over the past several months. He said rising prices, unemployment and increasing production costs were creating pressure on different sections of society.

According to the latest Wholesale Price Index (WPI) data, inflation increased to 9.87 per cent in June, compared with 9.68 per cent in May, marking one of the highest levels recorded in recent months. The rise was mainly driven by higher prices of food items, non-food products, minerals and other commodities.

The Congress leader highlighted the increase in fuel and electricity prices, saying the sharp rise had added to the financial burden on households as well as industries. He also pointed towards challenges in the agriculture sector, claiming that farmers were facing difficulties due to a combination of government policies and unfavourable weather conditions.

Opposition Raises Concerns Over Inflation and Unemployment

Ramesh said inflation was affecting the daily lives of citizens, particularly those struggling with rising household expenses. He alleged that while people were facing economic hardships, the government was focusing more on projecting achievements rather than addressing ground-level concerns.

He further claimed that higher input costs were creating difficulties for industries, affecting production expenses and overall business conditions. According to him, the latest economic data showed signs of stress across multiple sectors.

The Congress leader questioned the government’s response to rising inflation and demanded accountability from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the Centre needed to explain its strategy for controlling prices and improving economic conditions.

The opposition party has frequently criticised the government over issues such as inflation, employment generation and farmers’ concerns. The latest attack comes as the political debate over economic management intensifies.

WPI Inflation Driven by Food and Non-Food Items

The latest WPI figures showed that food inflation increased to 5.49 per cent in June, compared with 3.60 per cent in May. Analysts attributed the rise in food prices partly to supply-related challenges caused by weather conditions.

Non-food articles also recorded higher inflation at 11.07 per cent during June, while inflation in minerals stood at 9.45 per cent.

The fuel and power segment witnessed inflation at 27.41 per cent in June, although it declined from the previous month’s level of 30.33 per cent. Meanwhile, inflation in manufactured products remained unchanged at 7.48 per cent.

The government’s wholesale inflation data is calculated using the updated base year of 2022-23, which replaced the earlier base year for measuring price movements.

Government Faces Pressure Over Price Rise

The increase in wholesale inflation has renewed discussions around the broader economic outlook, with opposition parties demanding stronger measures to control prices and provide relief to consumers.

While inflation trends often fluctuate due to global commodity prices, weather conditions and supply chain factors, political parties continue to debate the government’s role in managing price stability.

The Congress has argued that the latest numbers indicate a need for immediate corrective measures, while the government has maintained that it is taking steps to support economic growth and manage inflationary pressures.

As inflation remains a key concern for households and businesses, economic management is expected to remain a major issue in political discussions ahead.