In this image posted on May 19, 2026, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi signs a portrait of former PM Indira Gandhi held by a girl during his visit to Vaibhav Nagar, in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh. Picture: X/@INCIndia via PTI
The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) cautioned that the country was on the brink of an economic crisis that would adversely impact youth, farmers, labourers, and small business owners in Uttar Pradesh.Mr. Gandhi, who is on a two-day tour of his parliamentary constituency of Rae Bareli and neighbouring Amethi, said global tensions, particularly the conflict involving Iran and the U.S. and Israel, along with developments around the Strait of Hormuz, could lead to a surge in inflation and supply shortages.“A very difficult storm is approaching. I have been cautioning that an economic storm is imminent, which will have a significant impact on common people, and inflation will escalate dramatically,” he said, addressing a gathering in his constituency. Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of practising politics of hatred, the Congress leader alleged that the rights of marginal farmers and labourers had been snatched and handed over to selected industrialists.“Narendra Modi has only done politics of spreading hatred over the last 12 years. By diverting your attention, they snatched the money of farmers, labourers and small businessmen and handed it over to Adani and Ambani. The Union government used to run the MGNREGA scheme, which would ensure employment for millions of people. The Modi government changed this scheme and stopped providing workers with money,” The Congress leader said.He further alleged, “The PM implemented demonetisation, cutting off the cash flow of small businesses. On one hand, the businesses were ruined, while on the other, the loans of Adani and Ambani were waived. Ambani is selling Indian oil worth thousands of crores of rupees abroad, but Narendra Modi is not stopping him. One day, Adani and Ambani will run away and hide in their palaces while the poor people will suffer.”He alleged that people were struggling to afford food and cooking gas, and the youth did not have jobs. “The country is in such a state, and the Prime Minister is making absurd statements,” he added. Mr. Gandhi, who also addressed a public meeting titled “Mahila Samvad” in Lalganj, said, “The Congress stands firmly for the fair share of women in the country’s development and leadership.”He also participated in a ‘Gram Vikas Samvad’ programme and inaugurated a “baarat ghar” (a community hall to host marriage ceremonies) in Rae Bareli. The Congress said Mr. Gandhi and the Gandhi family share an emotional bond with the people of Rae Bareli and Amethi. “I have witnessed since the 1970s that the Gandhi family gives prime importance to the people of Rae Bareli and Amethi. Despite the heat, the enthusiasm of common people in Rae Bareli to welcome and join the programmes of Rahul Ji was historic. Every party worker and common man of Uttar Pradesh is standing shoulder to shoulder with the leader. The tour brought new energy among ordinary Congress workers,” said Pramod Tiwari, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, who received Mr. Gandhi at Lucknow airport. Published - May 19, 2026 08:58 pm IST
