4 min readLucknowMay 20, 2026 02:33 AM IST
First published on: May 19, 2026 at 05:55 PM IST
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi Tuesday warned that the country was heading towards a massive economic crisis that would severely impact Uttar Pradesh’s youth, farmers, labourers and small businessmen.
The Congress MP, who is on a two-day visit to his constituency, Rae Bareli, and Amethi, claimed that global tensions, especially the Iran vs US-Israel conflict and the situation around the Strait of Hormuz, could trigger an unprecedented rise in fuel prices, inflation and shortages.
Addressing a public gathering in Bachhrawan, he said, “Very difficult times are coming… For months I have been warning that an economic storm is approaching. People are going to suffer a massive blow and inflation will shoot through the roof.”
Attacking the BJP-led Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul alleged that the Modi government had weakened the common man while helping select industrialists.
“Over the last 10 years, the money that belonged to the people, farmers and labourers has been taken away by Modi and handed over to two billionaires — Ambani and Adani,” he alleged.
The Congress MP warned that the coming crisis would not affect the rich, but would directly hit ordinary Indians. “Who will suffer? Not Adani and Ambani. They will remain safe in their palaces. The blow will hit India’s farmers, labourers, youth and small traders,” he added.
Gandhi, who was Bachhrawan to inaugurate a baraat ghar (wedding hall), linked the expected economic troubles to the global oil supply chain.
“… Hormuz is the route through which much of the world’s oil passes. Now the world is heading towards shortages of oil, diesel and fertilisers,” he said.
The Congress leader also took a swipe at PM Modi’s foreign visits despite his austerity push. “We keep asking Narendra Modi to protect workers… but he goes abroad and talks about helping Adani,” he claimed.
With months to go for the UP Assembly polls, he rekindled the Gandhi family’s ‘Dil ka Rishta (connection of the heart)’ with Rae Bareli and promised to visit local residents for weddings.
Highlighting the Gandhi family’s long-standing political connection with the constituency, Gandhi said, “We share a bond of love and emotion… Priyanka, me, my mother, father and grandmother — all share a deep connection with you.”
He urged the people to become “politically aware”, claiming that inflation and economic pressure on ordinary citizens would continue unless there is a change in government.
He also pointed to the BJP government’s handling of demonetisation and Covid management and alleged, “Whatever was in your pockets was snatched away through demonetisation. During Covid, labourers and farmers were forced to walk thousands of kilometres.”
Hitting out at the Congress over Gandhi’s remarks, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the opposition party should stop being obstructionists and avoid spreading fear among the public.
She highlighted that the government headed by PM Modi has been serving every section of society since 2014. “Since 2014 we continue to serve every sector and every section of our society through our policies and initiatives. Farmers, the poor, women, youth, MSMEs are at the core of our governance structure,” she said in a post on X.
She wondered if 58 crore JanDhan accounts, 57 crore MUDRA loans, and one crore SVANidhi accounts were for Adani or Ambani. Sitharaman further asked if PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, PM Vishwakarma Yojana, PM Internship scheme, and PM KISAN are meant for Adani or Ambani.
Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi being greeted by supporters during the 'Gram Vikas Samvad' programme, at Bachhrawan, in Raebareli district, Uttar Pradesh, Tuesday. (PTI)
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