Former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, alleging that its ten-year reign has been marred by price rise and unemployment. Campaigning for DMK candidate Thamizhachi Thangapandian in Mylapore, Chidambaram expressed grave concerns over the adverse impact of inflation and joblessness on the country’s poor and middle-class citizens.Citing the recently released India Employment Report 2024 by the International Labour Organization (ILO), Chidambaram highlighted the alarming statistic that the percentage of unemployed youth in India has doubled over the past decade, with youths constituting a staggering 83% of the total unemployed population. He also referenced a media report indicating that approximately 30% of students from the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are currently unemployed.
Chidambaram accused Prime Minister Modi of failing to fulfill his electoral promises, particularly regarding the doubling of farmers’ income and depositing Rs 15 lakh in each Indian’s bank account. He challenged Modi’s silence on issues of price rise and inflation, questioning the efficacy of the government’s policies in addressing the needs of the country’s populace.
Furthermore, Chidambaram disputed Modi’s assertion of seeking a ‘theoretical term’ to elevate India to global standards, questioning the premise of such ambitions against the backdrop of persistent economic challenges. He pointed out that India’s GDP growth, while significant, has not translated into substantial improvements in per capita income, highlighting the discrepancy between macroeconomic indicators and the lived realities of the Indian people.
Drawing a sharp contrast with the achievements of the previous UPA government, Chidambaram emphasized the nation’s economic progress during their tenure, where India ascended from the 12th to the 7th position in terms of economy. However, he lamented the stagnation in per capita income rankings under the current regime, asserting that ten years have been squandered without significant advancements in addressing economic disparities.