Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, launched a sharp critique against the Indian government on Tuesday. He accused it of worsening inflation and ignoring public concerns. The administration, which had initially come to power with promises of 'achche din' or good days, was not only 'stealing votes' but also depleting citizens' savings.
Retail inflation surged to 5.54% in September, reaching the highest level in 23 months. Food inflation jumped to 7.74% from 5.97% in August. Ramesh highlighted the alarming rise in prices of essential goods, noting that onion prices had skyrocketed by 108%, garlic by 54.62%, ginger by 62.85%, and lemons by 36.41%.
Ramesh criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence amid growing public discontent over both inflation and alleged electoral malpractice. He described the Prime Minister as sitting like a 'mauni baba, ' seemingly indifferent to the struggles of ordinary citizens. Ramesh suggested it was time for Modi to 'pick up his jhola' and leave.
The Congress leader emphasized that inflation's impact extends beyond food, affecting transportation, education, clothing, and household goods. He claimed that the poor were losing their daily sustenance, the middle class was seeing their savings dwindle, and the burden of debt was mounting. Yet, he alleged, the government remained arrogant and unresponsive.
In a detailed post on X, Ramesh reiterated that the government, which had promised prosperity, was now robbing citizens of their financial security. He questioned the administration's lack of concern for public outrage, suggesting that a government unafraid of losing votes would not prioritize the people's welfare.
Inflationary Pressures and Economic Measures
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September showed rural areas experiencing a rate of 6.08%, while urban areas faced 4.88%. The All India CPI, with a base year of 2024, stood at 5.54%. This was the highest inflation rate since the series' start in January 2026.
In response to these inflationary pressures, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently raised its benchmark repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%. This was the first increase in nearly four years. The RBI indicated that further rate hikes could be on the horizon due to rising inflation, a weakening rupee, and high crude oil prices. The central bank also adjusted its retail inflation forecast for the current fiscal year to 5.2%, up from a previous estimate of 5%, citing visible price pressures across various commodities.
On Monday, Congress criticized the Modi government for the rising prices during the festive season, labeling the Prime Minister as 'jumlebaaz' and demanding answers on how long the public would have to endure this 'economic catastrophe.' The party accused the government of implementing 'anti-people' policies and failing to control inflation, which they argued was spiraling out of control.
The government, however, has dismissed these claims, pointing instead to GDP numbers as evidence of economic stability. Despite this, the Congress continues to highlight the issue of rising prices, maintaining that the government's policies have not benefited the common people as promised.
