New Delhi, Mar 3: Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday launched a sharp attack on the ruling Narendra Modi-led government, accusing it of presiding over deepening economic inequality in India.Speaking during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha, the Leader of the Opposition cited findings from the World Inequality Report 2026 to argue that wealth and income are increasingly concentrated among a small elite.Later sharing excerpts of his speech on the social media platform X, Kharge alleged that the “BJP-RSS growth model” disproportionately benefits select industrialists while leaving large sections of the population behind.
Stark Numbers on Wealth ConcentrationReferring to the global inequality study, Kharge said that nearly 40% of India’s total wealth is held by the top 1% of the population. He added that the top 10% control around 65% of household assets.On the income side, he claimed, the top 10% account for 58% of national income, while the bottom 50% receive just 15%.“These figures show the widening gap between the rich and the poor,” Kharge said in Parliament, questioning the government’s claims of inclusive development.Political FlashpointThe comments are likely to intensify political debate as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has repeatedly highlighted India’s rapid economic growth and rising global stature under its leadership. Government leaders often argue that welfare schemes, infrastructure spending, and digital inclusion programs have lifted millions out of poverty.
However, opposition parties, led by the Indian National Congress, have countered that headline growth figures mask structural disparities, including joblessness and unequal access to opportunity.Kharge accused the ideological parent of the BJP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), of lacking commitment to social and economic equality. He alleged that policy decisions increasingly favor large corporations at the expense of small businesses and ordinary citizens.Broader Debate on Growth and EquityThe exchange reflects a broader national conversation about how the benefits of India’s economic expansion are distributed.
While India remains one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, concerns over unemployment, rural distress, and wealth concentration have surfaced frequently in parliamentary debates.The government has not immediately issued a detailed response to Kharge’s remarks, though BJP leaders have previously dismissed similar criticism as politically motivated.As Parliament continues its session, the issue of inequality is expected to remain a key point of contention between the treasury benches and the opposition, shaping both policy discussions and political narratives in the months ahead.
