Kharge slams Modi govt over inflation, rising household debt; says ‘Achhe Din’ remain elusive

New Delhi, Oct 30 : Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi government, accusing it of worsening the economic distress of ordinary households through rising inflation, increasing debt and declining savings.

Kharge alleged that the government, which was attempting to take away people's right to vote, was also undermining their right to live with dignity by making everyday essentials increasingly unaffordable.

In a post on social media platform X, Kharge linked the rising cost of living to the festive season and said inflation was eating into the earnings of ordinary families, making it increasingly difficult for them to meet basic expenses.

Citing economic indicators, he claimed that food inflation had risen from 2.13 per cent to 7.74 per cent, while household debt had increased by 36.7 per cent, at three times its earlier pace. He also pointed out that household financial savings had declined by four per cent, while retail inflation stood at 5.54 per cent and wholesale inflation at 11.39 per cent.

"The figures tell the truth," Kharge said, asserting that the data reflected the growing financial burden on ordinary citizens despite the government's claims of economic progress.

Taking a swipe at the BJP's pre-2014 campaign against inflation, Kharge recalled its slogan, "Bahut hui mehngai ki maar", which had targeted rising prices under the then Congress-led UPA government.

He challenged the BJP leadership to revisit its anti-inflation campaign advertisements instead of making political speeches and staging protests.

"If the BJP and Modi ji, while in power, ever find time away from their pointless speeches and protests, they should watch once again the BJP advertisement from before 2014 which said, 'Bahut hui mehngai ki maar'," he said.

Questioning the government's performance after nearly 12 years in office, the Congress president said people had waited for the promised 'Achhe Din' for more than a decade but had yet to receive the relief they were promised.

"The people have lost 12 years in the hope of 'Achhe Din'," he said.

Kharge's remarks come amid the Congress's continued campaign against the Modi government over inflation, declining household financial security and what the Opposition describes as the erosion of democratic rights.

The Congress has repeatedly accused the BJP of failing to fulfil its pre-2014 promises to control prices and improve the living conditions of ordinary citizens.

By highlighting rising household expenses and indebtedness alongside declining savings, Kharge sought to draw attention to the growing financial pressures on families, saying the festive season had brought little relief to people struggling with rising prices and household expenses.