Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Kharge Says Rising Food Prices Leave Indian Kitchens Struggling
Mallikarjun Kharge said many families are finding it harder to pay for food.
He blamed the Narendra Modi government for rising prices.
He said onions, sugar and cooking oil had become more expensive in several cities.
He also pointed to high food and wholesale inflation figures.
The Congress compared prices from 2013 with figures it listed for August 2026.
The comparison showed large increases in tomatoes, onions, flour, lentils, oil, milk, rice, sugar and potatoes.
Kharge said the government was trying to distract people from the issue.
The Congress said voters would remember how inflation affected their household budgets.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Narendra Modi government of failing to control food inflation and rising living costs.
Kharge said onion, sugar and cooking oil prices had increased in several cities during the festive season.
He cited food inflation of 5.52 per cent and wholesale inflation of 9.78 per cent.
A Congress comparison said tomato prices rose from Rs 17.50 to Rs 120 per kg between May 2013 and August 2026.
The Congress warned that voters would remember inflation’s impact and would not forgive the Bharatiya Janata Party.
- Who
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and the Indian National Congress criticized the Narendra Modi government and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
- What
- Kharge alleged that rising prices of essential food items and persistent inflation were straining household budgets.
- When
- The criticism was made on Wednesday; the Congress comparison covered May 2013 and August 2026.
- Where
- The statement was issued from New Delhi, with Kharge posting on X.
- Why
- Kharge said the government had failed to control prices and was avoiding accountability through distractions.
- Food inflation cited
- 5.52 per cent
- Wholesale inflation cited
- 9.78 per cent
- Tomato price comparison
- Rs 17.50 per kg in May 2013 to Rs 120 per kg in August 2026
- Onion price comparison
- Rs 23 per kg in May 2013 to Rs 73 per kg in August 2026
- Atta price comparison
- Rs 21 per kg in May 2013 to Rs 69 per kg in August 2026
- Other items cited
- The comparison also listed increases in lentils, mustard oil, groundnut oil, milk, rice, sugar and potatoes
- Data sources cited
- The Congress attributed the comparison to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and newspaper reports