Congress accused the government of letting festive-season inflation spiral and squeeze household budgets. The attack sharpens the political battle over rising prices, EMIs and cost-of-living stress.
Congress accused the government of letting festive-season inflation spiral and squeeze household budgets.
New Delhi,Oct 12, 2026 12:47 IST
The Congress on Monday attacked the government over rising prices during the festive season, alleging that inflation has gone out of control and is hurting poor and middle-class families. The opposition party said Prime Minister Narendra Modi must answer how long people will have to endure what it called an "economic catastrophe".
The party said the rise in prices has made household spending more difficult at a time when festive purchases usually go up. While the Congress accused the government of pushing "anti-people" policies, the government has rejected such claims and pointed to GDP numbers.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh shared a screenshot of a media report that said rising festive-season prices were taking a heavy toll on people, with shoppers having to pay significantly more for goods across categories.
In a post in Hindi on X, Ramesh said, "The public is feeling suffocated by the rising inflation under the Modi government. Inflation has spiraled out of control, reaching historic levels."
"From household kitchens to electronic goods, the pace of inflation – moving faster than a bullet train – is now directly robbing the pockets of poor and middle-class families."
Ramesh said that during the festive season, prices of spices, dry fruits and sweets were rising sharply. He added that there were reports of a 10 per cent to 25 per cent increase in the prices of electronics such as TVs and refrigerators, as well as kitchenware.
He also said the RBI's decision to raise the repo rate was set to increase the burden of loans and EMIs.
Calling it the result of the failure of those who had spoken of "achche din", Ramesh said, "The failure of those who trumpeted the arrival of 'achhe din' has resulted in a situation where running a household has become an ordeal."
He alleged that while everyone was feeling the pinch of inflation, PM Modi remained oblivious to public suffering and was "busy instead with playing his political tune".
Referring to inflation data due later in the day, he said economists were predicting retail inflation could rise for the sixth consecutive month to 5.60 per cent, a 23-month high.
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