Congress leader Pawan Khera on Monday questioned whether India's latest economic growth figures are translating into jobs and opportunities for young people.
His remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed India's 7.8 per cent GDP growth in the first quarter of financial year 2026-27.
Khera argued that strong growth in a single quarter should not be portrayed as a broad economic turnaround.
"One quarter of 7.8% growth is not an economic spring," Khera said in a post on X.
The Congress leader also pointed to unemployment, examination paper leaks and concerns surrounding the education system while challenging the government's claims of economic progress.
"If India has truly "bloomed," why do rampant unemployment, leaked exam papers, and a crumbling education system define the ground reality?" he questioned on X.
Khera further argued that GDP figures alone do not reflect whether ordinary citizens are benefiting from economic expansion.
"GDP measures national output - not jobs, not wages, not opportunity. If it measured any of those, the future of India's youth would not look so bleak," he said.
He also took aim at the Prime Minister over his messaging on the latest growth figures.
"Modi can manage his headlines. For India's youth, the question remains the same as ever: Where are the jobs?"
PM Modi Hails GDP Growth
Earlier on Monday, PM Modi described India's 7.8 per cent GDP expansion in Q1 FY27 as a "herculean feat".
The Prime Minister said the growth came despite several external challenges, including fluctuations in oil prices, supply chain disruptions and continuing uncertainty in the global economy.
"India's exemplary GDP growth of 7.8 per cent during Q1 of FY 2026-27 is a herculean feat," PM Modi said in a social media post.
He credited the collective strength of Indians for helping the economy maintain its momentum despite global pressures.
"The collective strength of our people ensured India delivered such growth despite oil price shocks and supply chain issues in the midst of global uncertainties," the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi also used the phrase "Doomsayers were doomed, and India bloomed...yet again!" while reacting to the latest GDP numbers.
The contrasting reactions from the BJP and Congress come after India recorded 7.8 per cent real GDP growth in the April-June quarter, exceeding the Reserve Bank of India's earlier projection of 7 per cent.