NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he hailed India’s 7.8 per cent GDP growth, saying the story of the PM’s “PR on economy” has been one of “lights, camera and inaction.”Responding to a video posted by Modi praising the country’s economic performance, Kharge alleged that the government’s claims did not reflect the realities faced by ordinary citizens.“Lights. Camera and INACTION. This is the story of Modi ji’s PR when it comes to the Economy,” Kharge said on X.“Narendra Modi 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 are responsible for that! 3 ‘U’s –> Unprecedented Unemployment, Unbearable Price Rise & Unbridled Inequality!” Kharge said, as PTI reported.The Congress chief claimed unemployment was at a 50-year high and that 40 per cent of young graduates were jobless.He said one in six Indians aged between 15 and 29 was unemployed in July 2026 and alleged that the promise of creating two crore jobs annually had not been fulfilled.Kharge also raised concerns over rising prices, claiming retail inflation had touched a 19-month high. He said the prices of sugar, onion, tomato, pulses, cooking oil, rice and milk had increased significantly.“Petrol, Diesel, LPG and CNG is becoming unaffordable. Middle class families are somehow battling to survive and the poor has given up hope,” Kharge said.On inequality, Kharge alleged that wealth concentration had worsened, claiming the top 1 per cent owned 40 per cent of India’s total wealth.“The bottom 50% survives on a humiliating 15%. Your government has engineered the greatest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in independent India’s history,” he said to Modi.He further alleged that the Modi government had encouraged crony capitalism.“Your government has written off over Rs 16 lakh crore of corporate loans since 2014. And in the latest jaw-dropping example, creditors recovered just Rs 6.5 crore against admitted claims of Rs. 22,006 crore, giving a 99.97% haircut,” Kharge said.He also said Modi is functioning as a “personal travel agent for a crony friend.”“Your repeated sermons of asking Indians not to buy gold and not to travel abroad shows the ground reality. Fact remains: Nothing has changed except your ability to LIE to the people!” he said in his post.Kharge’s remarks came a day after Modi welcomed the country’s 7.8 per cent GDP growth rate and described it as a significant achievement amid global uncertainties, geopolitical conflicts and supply chain disruptions.In a video message posted on Instagram, Modi criticised those questioning the state of the economy and said the latest growth figures had disproved narratives of pessimism surrounding India’s economic prospects.Referring to what appeared to be a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ campaign, Modi said the GDP figures had cut through the “jhooth ki goonj” being spread about the economy.He said India must sustain its growth momentum and continue working towards greater self-reliance and promotion of ‘Swadeshi’.Modi said his government’s policies were sound and its intentions clear, which had helped the country achieve new milestones in development.India’s economy expanded by a faster-than-expected 7.8 per cent in the April-June quarter of 2026-27, easing concerns of a slowdown triggered by the conflict in West Asia.While growth moderated from 8.6 per cent in the previous quarter, it remained above market expectations despite disruptions in global energy markets.Describing the GDP performance as a “Herculean feat”, Modi on Monday said critics who had predicted a downturn had been proven wrong.“doomsayers were doomed and India bloomed yet again,” he said.(With Agency Inputs)
