Congress targets Modi government over rising food prices, questions PM's silence on inflation

The Congress on Monday criticised the Modi government over what it described as a sharp rise in food prices, using the popular 1977 Bollywood song "Kya hua tera vada" to question the prime minister's response to inflation.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh shared a media report claiming that rising prices of food items, pulses and cooking oil had put pressure on household budgets.

Ramesh said the increase in prices of essential commodities had made life difficult for middle-class and poor families.

"In the past month, spice prices have surged by a massive 10% to 25%. Green cardamom has risen from 4000 rupees to 4400 rupees/kg, black cardamom from 2400 rupees to 2800 rupees/kg, and cumin has jumped from 360 rupees to 400 rupees/kg. Mace prices have shot up directly from 2500 rupees to 3000 rupees per kg.

"Arhar dal has increased from 100 rupees to 130 rupees/kg, chana dal from 70 rupees to 100 rupees/kg, and urad from 120 rupees to 140 rupees/kg. Mustard oil has reached 210 rupees/litre from 190 rupees, and Safola oil has climbed to 280 rupees/litre from 240 rupees," Ramesh said. 

Ramesh further said the all-India average retail price of onions increased from Rs 29.50 per kg in June to Rs 53.78 per kg in June-September, marking an 82.3 per cent rise in around three and a half months. 

He said the increase in prices of pulses and other essential food items was making it difficult for poor households to afford them.

Ramesh also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on inflation and asked where the "achche din" promised to people had gone.

Referring to the song from the 1977 film "Hum Kisise Kum Nahin", he wrote, "Kya hua tera vada? Woh kasam, woh irada?"

The Congress leader called for immediate steps by the Modi government to control what he described as uncontrolled inflation and provide relief to consumers.

The Congress has repeatedly raised the issue of rising prices and accused the government of pursuing "anti-people" policies. The government, however, has rejected the allegations and pointed to the GDP figures.  (with inputs from PTI)