India’s opposition Congress party came out swinging on Tuesday (September 1, 2026) as it took aim at the Narendra Modi government’s reported 7.8% GDP growth for the first quarter of 2026-27. They accused the government of using “statistical gymnastics” to hide the economy’s real weaknesses. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge brushed off the Prime Minister’s celebratory video as nothing more than a “PR exercise.”
Jairam Ramesh, who handles communications for the Congress party, was skeptical about how the GDP figures were calculated. He argued that they were meant to cover up the actual economic situation, slamming the government’s “Fake in India” initiative as still running strong despite the limited success of “Make in India.”
Kharge didn’t hold back, saying that while the Prime Minister might be basking in the glow of growth, regular folks are struggling. He highlighted what he called the three “U”s: unprecedented unemployment, unbearable price rise, and unbridled inequality.
Lights. Camera and INACTION. This is the story of Modi ji's PR when it comes to the Economy..@narendramodi ji, You are saying that the country is celebrating GDP Growth. You may have that luxury, but the Aam Aadmi does NOT! Our Common people are burdened by 3 'U's and YOU…
Kharge argued that households were increasingly feeling the pinch of unemployment and rising costs. He pointed out the government’s unmet promise to create 2 crore jobs each year, emphasizing the high joblessness among youth and the spiraling prices of essentials and fuel.
He also accused the government of worsening inequality, claiming that its policies were shifting wealth from the poor to the rich. He criticized “rampant crony capitalism, ” citing loan write-offs that he argued mostly helped big businesses.
Ramesh zeroed in on a specific issue with the GDP figures. He pointed out that the gap between nominal and real GDP, usually a measure of inflation, was only 2.3%. This didn’t match up with the quarter’s runaway Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation, which was over 9%.
He alleged that the discrepancy arose from the government changing its GDP calculation method twice this year, including dropping the WPI for the latest numbers. He said if the government gave “honest numbers, ” the real growth figure would be much lower.
In another statement, Ramesh accused the government of subjecting people to a “high-voltage shock” from rising prices, claiming they were trying to hide this with “statistical jugglery.”
Inflation, he said, was no longer just about kitchen staples. It was hitting the cost of building homes and buying goods like electrical and electronic items. He cited a media report noting sharp price hikes for copper and aluminium, which have driven up the cost of wiring houses.
And it’s not just that. Solar panels, fans, false ceilings, and various household appliances have all become pricier. Ramesh concluded that the poor and middle-class are facing rising costs across many areas of daily life, while the “arrogant Modi government” stays focused on misleading the public.
Meanwhile, in a video message, Prime Minister Modi claimed the growth figure had “punctured the narrative of pessimism” about India’s economy. He emphasized the clarity of the government’s policies and intentions, urging the continuation of growth momentum while promoting self-reliance and Swadeshi.
