Congress Questions Q1 GDP Growth Figures, Accuses Government of 'Statistical Gymnastics'
The Congress on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, questioned the Narendra Modi government’s celebration of 7.8% GDP growth in the first quarter of the 2026-27 fiscal year. Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, dismissed a video posted by the Prime Minister on the matter as a "PR exercise."
In a separate statement on social media platform X, Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh also criticized the government, stating that while the "Make in India" initiative had achieved very little, its "Fake in India" scheme continued unabated.
Kharge Targets Unemployment and Inflation
Mr. Kharge stated that while the Prime Minister might have the "luxury" of celebrating the latest growth figures, ordinary citizens continue to face severe economic challenges. He described these challenges as the three "U"s: "unprecedented unemployment, unbearable price rise and unbridled inequality."
"Lights. Camera and INACTION. This is the story of Modi ji’s PR when it comes to the economy," Mr. Kharge wrote on X, responding directly to the video posted by Mr. Modi hailing the April-June quarter growth.
The Congress president alleged that rising prices and unemployment have placed an increasing burden on households across the country. He claimed that the government's promise of creating 2 crore jobs annually remains unfulfilled, pointing to high unemployment among young people and the rising costs of essential commodities and fuel.
Furthermore, Mr. Kharge accused the government of presiding over growing inequality, alleging that its economic policies have facilitated a transfer of wealth from poorer sections of society to the rich. He also criticized what he termed "rampant crony capitalism," alleging that corporate loan write-offs have primarily benefited large businesses.
Ramesh Questions GDP Calculation Methodology
Mr. Ramesh raised questions regarding the methodology used to calculate the latest GDP figures, describing the estimates as "statistical gymnastics" designed to conceal underlying economic weaknesses.
"The gap between nominal and real GDP is supposed to represent inflation. According to the government, the difference is just 2.3%. But this quarter has seen runaway Wholesale Price Index inflation of over 9%. This is an obvious discrepancy," Mr. Ramesh said.
He alleged that this discrepancy arose because the government changed its methodology for calculating GDP twice this year, which included moving away from the Wholesale Price Index for the latest estimates. Mr. Ramesh asserted that if the government provided honest numbers, the real growth figure would be significantly lower.
Rising Costs and the Prime Minister's Response
In another post, Mr. Ramesh accused the government of subjecting the public to a "high-voltage shock" of rising prices while attempting to mask the situation through "statistical jugglery."
He noted that inflation is no longer confined to kitchen staples but has begun affecting the cost of building homes and purchasing electrical and electronic goods. Citing a media report, he pointed out that the prices of copper and aluminium have risen sharply, substantially increasing the cost of house wiring. Additionally, items such as solar panels, fans, false ceilings, and household appliances have become more expensive, impacting the poor and middle class.
In his video message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the 7.8% growth figure had punctured the narrative of pessimism surrounding the Indian economy. He asserted that the government’s policies and intentions are clear, and called for maintaining growth momentum while strengthening self-reliance and promoting Swadeshi.
