Congress Criticizes BJP's Spending Amid Economic Hardships for Elderly
BJP strips elderly, poor of economic dignity while spending on political spectacle: Congress
The Hindu
Image: The Hindu
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promoting austerity while neglecting pension increases for the elderly and vulnerable populations in India. He highlighted the government's significant spending on self-promotion, claiming it undermines the dignity of disadvantaged citizens.
- 01Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge accuses BJP of neglecting elderly pensions for 12 years.
- 02Current pensions have significantly decreased in value due to inflation.
- 03BJP's spending on self-promotion reached nearly ₹5,987.46 crore over a decade.
- 04Kharge labels BJP's actions as stripping citizens of economic dignity.
- 05The criticism follows Modi's recent call for austerity amid economic challenges.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
On May 13, 2026, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of hypocrisy for advocating austerity while neglecting the financial needs of India's elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities. Kharge pointed out that the government has not increased old age pensions for the last 12 years, leaving many citizens struggling to meet basic needs. He emphasized that the current pension amounts, such as ₹200, have lost significant purchasing power due to inflation, effectively reducing their value to around ₹110 today. Meanwhile, Kharge criticized the BJP for spending nearly ₹5,987.46 crore on self-promotion from 2014 to 2025, stating that this extravagant spending undermines the dignity of disadvantaged citizens. This criticism comes in the wake of Modi's recent appeal for austerity, urging citizens to save fuel and avoid luxury purchases to strengthen the economy during the ongoing West Asia crisis.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The lack of pension increases affects the financial stability of elderly citizens, making it difficult for them to afford basic necessities.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you believe the government should prioritize pension increases for the elderly?
Connecting to poll...
More about Bharatiya Janata Party
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.





