Kharge Dismisses Modi's GDP Video as ‘PR on Economy’, Flags Price Rise and Joblessness

New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks celebrating India's 7.8 per cent GDP growth, dismissing the Prime Minister's video as “PR on economy” and alleging that the country's common people continue to struggle with unemployment, rising prices and inequality.

Kharge said the government's celebration of headline GDP numbers did not reflect the economic realities faced by ordinary citizens.

Taking to social media, the Congress president described the Modi government's economic messaging as a story of “lights, camera and inaction.”

Kharge targets Modi over GDP celebration

The Congress leader questioned the government's celebration of economic growth and argued that high GDP figures alone do not address the concerns of people facing unemployment and inflation.

Kharge said ordinary citizens were burdened by what he described as three major problems — unprecedented unemployment, unbearable price rise and unbridled inequality.

He alleged that while the government was highlighting economic growth, many households continued to face financial pressure because of rising prices of essential goods and fuel.

Congress flags unemployment concerns

Kharge also raised concerns over employment, particularly among young people.

He claimed that unemployment had reached a historically high level and alleged that a significant number of young graduates remained without jobs.

The Congress president said the government's employment promises should be examined alongside the situation faced by young people entering the job market.

Employment and job creation have remained major points of political debate between the Congress and the BJP.

Price rise and inflation under focus

Kharge also pointed to rising prices of essential commodities.

He said food items and household necessities, including sugar, onions, tomatoes, pulses, cooking oil, rice and milk, had increased the financial burden on ordinary families.

The Congress leader further raised concerns about the affordability of petrol, diesel, LPG and CNG.

According to Kharge, economic growth should be judged not only through GDP figures but also by its impact on the daily lives of citizens.

Inequality and crony capitalism allegations

The Congress president also alleged that economic inequality had increased under the current government.

Kharge accused the Modi government of promoting crony capitalism and claimed that wealth was increasingly concentrated among the richest sections of society.

He also criticised the government's handling of corporate loans and alleged that economic policies had benefited powerful business interests more than ordinary citizens.

The BJP has repeatedly rejected similar allegations made by the Congress and has defended its economic policies by highlighting infrastructure investment, welfare programmes and India's growth performance.

Modi had hailed 7.8% GDP growth

Kharge's remarks came after Prime Minister Modi praised India's 7.8 per cent GDP growth in the April-June quarter of 2026-27, describing the performance as significant despite global uncertainty, geopolitical conflicts and supply-chain disruptions.

Modi also used the occasion to renew his call for greater self-reliance and the promotion of Swadeshi and local products.

The Prime Minister argued that India's economic performance reflected the strength and resilience of the country's people and economy.

Political battle over economy intensifies

The latest exchange has added to the ongoing political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP over India's economic performance.

While the government has highlighted strong GDP growth and investment, the Opposition has continued to focus on unemployment, inflation and inequality.

India's economy grew faster than many forecasts in the April-June quarter, supported by investment and consumer spending, though concerns remain over inflation, global uncertainty and employment generation.

Kharge's latest criticism reflects the Congress's broader argument that headline economic growth must translate into improved employment opportunities and relief from rising living costs for ordinary citizens.

The political debate over whether economic growth is sufficiently inclusive is likely to remain a major point of contention between the ruling BJP and the Opposition.