New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Central government after official data showed that India's wholesale inflation climbed to a 44-month high. Claiming that rising prices have increased the burden on ordinary citizens, Kharge said, "BJP rule weighs heavy on every Indian."
In a post on X, Kharge alleged that the Narendra Modi government had failed to control inflation despite repeatedly promising relief to the public. He argued that the continuous rise in the prices of essential commodities, fuel and raw materials has adversely affected households, farmers and small businesses across the country. Kharge further claimed that inflation has reduced the purchasing power of common people and made daily life more difficult.
The Congress chief referred to the latest Wholesale Price Index (WPI) data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, which showed wholesale inflation rising to 3.84 per cent in June 2026, the highest level recorded in the past 44 months. According to the government, the increase was driven primarily by higher prices of manufactured products, food articles and certain primary commodities.
Kharge alleged that while inflation continued to rise, the government remained focused on political issues instead of addressing economic concerns. He said the Centre must take concrete measures to stabilise prices, support farmers and protect consumers from the impact of rising inflation.
The BJP, however, has maintained that the Indian economy remains resilient despite global economic uncertainties. Government officials have attributed fluctuations in inflation to international market conditions, supply-chain disruptions and weather-related factors affecting food production. The Centre has also highlighted various policy measures aimed at maintaining adequate supplies of essential commodities and controlling price volatility.
Economists believe that sustained wholesale inflation could eventually influence retail prices if production costs continue to rise. While wholesale inflation measures price changes at the producer level, retail inflation directly reflects the prices paid by consumers. Experts say the Reserve Bank of India and the government will continue to monitor inflation trends closely before taking any policy decisions.
The fresh political exchange comes as inflation remains a major issue in national politics, with opposition parties accusing the Centre of failing to provide relief to the common man, while the government continues to defend its economic policies by pointing to India's growth prospects and macroeconomic stability.
With inflation once again becoming a key point of political debate, both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress are expected to intensify their attacks ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
