Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Shiv Sena (UBT) Says GDP Growth Masks Rupee, Jobs Crisis
Shiv Sena (UBT) says strong GDP numbers do not show how many people are struggling.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated reported quarterly growth of 7.8 percent.
The party says many families still need free food grains to survive.
It also points to farmer suicides and rising unemployment.
Prices for milk, onions, jaggery, fuel and tea have gone up, according to the editorial.
The party says these increases make daily life harder for poorer people.
It says farmers are also worried because agricultural growth has slowed and monsoon rain has been weak.
The editorial argues that a falling rupee and inflation matter more to ordinary families than headline GDP figures.
Shiv Sena (UBT) criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s celebration of reported 7.8% quarterly GDP growth.
The party said inflation, unemployment, a falling rupee and farmer distress show a different economic reality.
Its Saamana editorial cited more than 7,000 farmer suicides in one year and 85 crore people relying on free food grains.
It claimed Maharashtra’s unpaid contractor bills exceeded Rs 90,000 crore, with 17 contractors dying by suicide.
The editorial highlighted rising prices for milk, jaggery, onions, fuel and tea before the festive season.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), led by Uddhav Thackeray, criticized the Narendra Modi government.
- What
- The party’s Saamana editorial argued that reported GDP growth is masking inflation, unemployment, a falling rupee and economic distress.
- When
- The criticism was published on Wednesday; the editorial also referred to price increases from September 1 and the approaching festive season.
- Where
- The editorial appeared in Saamana and discussed conditions in India, including Maharashtra and Mumbai.
- Why
- The party said headline GDP growth does not reflect the difficulties faced by households, farmers, contractors and workers.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Criticism
Modi Government Growth Narrative
Meaning of GDP growth
Shiv Sena (UBT) Criticism
Shiv Sena (UBT) said a reported 7.8% GDP growth rate offers little benefit if citizens face inflation, unemployment and a falling rupee.
Modi Government Growth Narrative
Narendra Modi celebrated the reported 7.8% quarterly GDP growth rate on social media, presenting it as evidence of economic progress.
Living standards
Shiv Sena (UBT) Criticism
The editorial questioned why 85 crore citizens still depend on free food grains and cited farmer suicides, price rises and rural uncertainty.
Modi Government Growth Narrative
The article reports the government’s GDP celebration but does not provide a detailed government response to the party’s criticisms.
Use of public funds
Shiv Sena (UBT) Criticism
The party questioned why the cited Rs 10,000 crore unspent PM CARES Fund balance was not used to help poor and struggling citizens.
Modi Government Growth Narrative
No response from the government about the PM CARES Fund was included in the article.
- Reported quarterly GDP growth
- 7.8%
- People cited as relying on free food grains
- 85 crore citizens
- Farmer suicides cited
- More than 7,000 in one year
- Maharashtra unpaid contractor bills
- More than Rs 90,000 crore
- PM CARES Fund balance cited
- Rs 10,000 crore unspent
- Agricultural growth
- Reportedly slowed from 4.4% to 3.6%
- Mumbai milk-price increase
- Rs 9-10 per litre from September 1