Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, June 5, 2025, launched a fresh attack on the ruling government, citing declining sales in vehicles and mobile phones as indicators of economic distress. In a sharp post on social media platform X, Gandhi said India needs politics that is grounded in the realities of common people’s lives, not built around grand events and spectacles.

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha highlighted worrying trends in the economy, including a 17% drop in two-wheeler sales, an 8.6% fall in car sales, and a 7% contraction in the mobile phone market.

“The statistics tell the truth. In the last year, two-wheeler sales have fallen by 17%, car sales by 8.6%, and the mobile market by 7%,” said Gandhi in Hindi on X.

“On the other hand, both expenses and debt are constantly increasing — house rent, domestic inflation, education expenses — almost everything is becoming expensive.”

Economic data reflects public suffering, says Gandhi

Gandhi framed these numbers as more than dry statistics, describing them as evidence of the economic strain on ordinary Indians.

“These are not just figures, but the reality of the economic pressure under which every common Indian is suffering,” he added.

He stressed that politics must evolve beyond media optics and flashy announcements to reflect the pain of everyday life.

“We need politics that is not about the glitz of events, but connected with the reality of everyday life — that asks the right questions, understands the situation and responds responsibly,” he said.

Call for inclusive economic growth

Rahul Gandhi also took aim at the government’s perceived tilt towards crony capitalism, arguing that the economic system should be reoriented to serve all Indians, not just a select few.

“We need an economy that works for every Indian, not just for a select few capitalists,” he asserted.

The comment echoes a long-standing Congress critique of the ruling party — that it favours a handful of corporate allies while ignoring middle-class stress, rural distress, and youth unemployment.

Congress intensifies attack on economic issues

The Congress party has been increasing its focus on economic issues, especially since the Lok Sabha election results, where it managed to gain significant ground.

According to party leaders, the government’s failure to control inflation, stimulate private investment, or generate meaningful job growth has been masked by an over-reliance on event management and PR-led governance.

This includes grand events like global summits, infrastructure ribbon-cuttings, and celebratory roadshows, which Gandhi and others argue ignore real concerns such as:

• Stagnating wages

• High youth unemployment

• Decreasing affordability of housing and education

• Low rural consumption

• Distress among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)

Sharp contrast with government’s claims

The central government has repeatedly maintained that India is among the world’s fastest-growing major economies, citing rising GST collections, strong stock market performance, and global investor confidence.

However, critics point out that macroeconomic growth has not translated into widespread prosperity. Many indicators — including consumer sentiment, rural spending, and job creation — show signs of sluggishness.

Economists have also noted that low two-wheeler sales are often a key indicator of stress in rural and semi-urban areas — segments where affordability has been hit hardest by rising costs and muted income growth.

Political messaging after Opposition revival

Rahul Gandhi’s renewed push for economically grounded politics comes at a time when the Opposition INDIA bloc has gained momentum in Parliament. Gandhi, now the Leader of Opposition, has been using the platform to draw attention to policy failures rather than engage in personal attacks.

Insiders say the Congress is planning a series of nationwide outreach campaigns focusing on:

• Food inflation

• Affordable housing

• Student debt and education loans

• Petrol and diesel price hikes

• Healthcare expenses

Party strategists believe that connecting with people’s lived experiences is key to breaking through the narrative control of the ruling alliance, especially ahead of state elections in late 2025.

Conclusion: From PR to policy — Gandhi’s demand

Rahul Gandhi’s message is clear — India needs less show and more substance. As economic indicators hint at deeper distress and rising costs squeeze the middle and lower-income groups, he is positioning the Congress as a party focused on livelihood concerns, rather than media headlines.

Whether this message will resonate broadly will depend on how effectively the Opposition can sustain its narrative and convert economic criticism into political momentum.

For now, Gandhi has once again spotlighted the gap between GDP growth figures and the reality on the ground — a disconnect that many Indians are beginning to feel more palpably each day.

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