Peak retail inflation under Modi is 4.8%, under UPA it was nearly 10%, says Joshi

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi along with legislators and other BJP leaders sign bhajans at the Ganesha pandal at Idgah Maidan in Hubballi after the installation of the Ganesha idol on Monday, September 14, 2026. | Photo credit: KIRAN BAKALE

Education, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Tuesday (Sep 15, 2026) that retail inflation, which rose to 4.8%, was the highest so far in the 12 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, while it crossed double digits under the UPA regime.

However, speaking to presspersons in Hubballi, Mr. Joshi said he was very sensitive about the development as it was his department that monitored food inflation. However, he added that attempts to politicize the current retail inflation issue would not work as retail inflation has risen to 4.8% due to El Nino and other factors including natural disasters. “Otherwise, five to six months ago before the West Asian crisis hit, it was just over 1.5 percent,” he said.

Hitting out at the opposition to raise the 4.8% retail inflation, Mr Joshi said that during the UPA regime, led by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, retail inflation was close to 10% for almost eight years. “In fact, it crossed double digits and never went down to single digits,” he claimed.

He said that the Indian economy remained resilient despite the difficult global economic situation and claimed that the country’s economic performance was appreciated by several world leaders at the recent BRICS summit.

Mr. Joshi said India’s GDP figures cannot be hidden and the country’s economic progress is attracting global attention. “People from all over the world are watching the situation in India and want to invest in the country. Our exports have increased,” he said.

He criticized the opposition for focusing on issues like the menu served at the BRICS meeting instead of discussing India’s economic performance.

Published – 15 Sep 2026 21:21 IST