New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday launched a fresh attack on the Narendra Modi government, saying that public relations campaigns can polish the image of India's economic performance but cannot change the underlying condition of the economy.

The Opposition party's remarks came amid an intensifying political debate over India's latest GDP growth figures and the government's efforts to highlight the country's economic performance.

Congress Targets Government's GDP Narrative

The Congress argued that headline economic numbers should not be viewed in isolation and that the impact of growth must also be assessed through indicators such as employment, household incomes and the cost of living.

The party alleged that the government was using publicity to project a positive economic picture while several challenges continued to affect ordinary citizens.

According to the Congress, "PR can polish the picture of GDP, but not the economy itself", underscoring its argument that communication campaigns cannot substitute for improvements in people's economic conditions.

Unemployment Remains a Major Concern

The Congress highlighted unemployment and job creation as key areas where it believes the government's economic performance needs greater scrutiny.

The party said strong GDP growth must translate into meaningful employment opportunities, particularly for young people entering the workforce.

Congress leaders have repeatedly argued that economic growth should be judged not only by the size of the economy but also by whether it creates stable and adequately paid jobs.

Price Rise and Household Pressure

The Opposition also raised concerns over inflation and rising household expenses.

Congress leaders argued that citizens continue to face pressure from the cost of essential goods and services, even as the government showcases India's growth story.

The party maintained that economic progress would have greater significance if increased productivity and growth resulted in improved purchasing power and greater financial security for households.

Inequality Also in Focus

The Congress further criticised the government over what it described as growing economic inequality.

The party has alleged that the benefits of economic growth have not been distributed evenly across society, with wealth and economic opportunities remaining concentrated among a relatively small section.

The government and BJP have rejected such criticism and have pointed to infrastructure investment, welfare programmes, digital public infrastructure and India's expanding economy as evidence of progress.

GDP Growth Becomes Political Flashpoint

The latest Congress attack comes amid a broader political battle over India's economic performance.

The Modi government has frequently highlighted India's strong growth rate as evidence of the resilience of the Indian economy, particularly against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions, global uncertainty and supply-chain disruptions.

The Opposition, however, has argued that GDP growth alone does not provide a complete picture of economic well-being.

The competing narratives have turned economic data into an increasingly important political issue, with the government emphasising growth and the Opposition focusing on employment, prices and inequality.

Congress Says Growth Must Reach Common People

The Congress maintained that the government's economic communication should be accompanied by concrete measures that improve the lives of ordinary citizens.

The party argued that stronger growth should lead to more employment, higher household incomes, affordable essentials and wider economic opportunities.

The remarks are part of the Congress's broader effort to challenge the BJP's economic narrative ahead of future electoral contests.

BJP-Congress Economic Battle Intensifies

The latest criticism is expected to further intensify the political exchange between the Congress and the BJP over India's economy.

While the government continues to present GDP growth and infrastructure expansion as major achievements, the Congress is seeking to shift the focus towards the everyday economic concerns of citizens.

The debate over whether India's growth is sufficiently inclusive is likely to remain a major political issue, particularly as parties prepare for upcoming elections.