Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge today accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to address inflation, unemployment and economic distress, saying ordinary citizens were struggling while the Centre lacked a “clear vision for governance.”
Addressing the media, Kharge said the country was witnessing an economic downturn and blamed the Modi government for rising costs of essentials.
“The economy is collapsing and the Prime Minister has no vision to run the country,” he alleged, saying that soaring prices and shrinking job opportunities were hurting households.
Calling the current situation a “government-created crisis”, Kharge held the Centre responsible for hikes in petrol, diesel, and cooking gas prices that had made life harder for the poor and lower middle class.
“People are unable to manage household expenses because inflation has crossed all limits. The government has failed to control prices and provide relief,” he said.
Taking aim at the BJP’s “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” slogan, Kharge alleged that government’s policies were aiding the wealthy while worsening conditions for the poor. “The rich are becoming richer and the poor are being pushed further into hardship,” he noted.
He contrasted the present dispensation with the Congress-led UPA government, recalling former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had shielded citizens from global crude spikes through subsidies even during international economic crises. The current government, he alleged, was “only engaged in exploiting the public”.
On unemployment, Kharge claimed lakhs of government posts remained unfilled and accused the Centre of stalling recruitment. He also alleged that profitable public sector undertakings were being sold to “selected friends” of the government, cutting job avenues for youth.
The Congress chief criticised Modi’s recent foreign tour, saying the government urged citizens to avoid buying gold or travelling abroad while the Prime Minister visited five countries.
Citing a social media video with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Kharge said Modi gave chocolates from a private firm rather than promoting Indian cooperative or government-backed brands.
“He could have promoted Indian cooperative products like Amul, Mother Dairy or Nandini. Such actions do not suit the dignity of the Prime Minister’s office,” Kharge said, adding that Modi seemed focused on “publicity and photo opportunities” rather than national interests abroad.
When asked about US President Donald Trump’s praise for Modi, Kharge responded, “People with similar qualities praise each other. Trump wants to destroy the world and Modi wants to destroy the country. That is the similarity between them.”
