Inflation, paper leaks: Cong lists failures in 12 yrs of BJP rule

Lucknow: As BJP celebrated 12 years of Narendra Modi-led govt at Centre, Uttar Pradesh Congress president and former minister Ajay Rai launched a sharp attack on the regime, alleging failure in employment generation, education, inflation management and economic governance.

In a statement on Wednesday, Rai questioned govt’s decision to mark the occasion as a celebration, claiming that past 12 years were marked by rising unemployment, repeated examination paper leaks and growing economic distress.

The Congress member alleged more than 90 competitive examinations across the country were affected by paper leaks during the BJP’s tenure, including over 24 in UP. He said repeated irregularities had undermined confidence of students and job aspirants in the examination system.

Targeting govt’s employment record, Rai claimed BJP failed to fulfil its promise of creating jobs and had instead pushed a large section of the population towards dependence on welfare schemes. Referring to beneficiaries of the free ration programme, he argued that govt’s economic policies had not generated sufficient employment opportunities.

Rai also criticised Centre’s handling of the economy, inflation and agriculture and alleged that rising prices of essential commodities, LPG, petrol and diesel had increased burden on households. He claimed farmers were facing difficulties in accessing fertilisers and accused the government of failing to control black marketing.

Rai also raised concerns over foreign policy and functioning of constitutional institutions, alleging that democratic institutions had lost their independence under the present dispensation.

BJP has consistently rejected such criticism, maintaining that its welfare initiatives, infrastructure push and economic reforms improved living standards and accelerated development across the country.

The exchange comes as political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of key electoral contests, with governance, employment and inflation expected to remain major issues in run-up to the 2027 UP Assembly elections.