Country on the brink of a major economic crisis, says Rahul Gandhi in Rae Bareli

In this picture released on May 19, 2026, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi signs a portrait of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi held by a girl during his visit to Vaibhav Nagar in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh. Image: X/@INCIndia via PTI

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) warned that the country is on the brink of an economic crisis that would adversely affect the youth, farmers, laborers and small business owners in Uttar Pradesh.

Mr Gandhi, who is on a two-day tour of his parliamentary constituency Rae Bareli and neighboring Amethi, said global tensions, particularly the conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel, along with developments around the Strait of Hormuz, could lead to a spike in inflation and supply shortages.

“A very difficult storm is coming. I have warned that there is an economic storm that will have a significant impact on ordinary people and inflation will escalate dramatically,” he told a rally in his constituency.

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of practicing politics of hate, the Congress leader alleged that the rights of marginal farmers and laborers have been usurped and handed over to select industrialists.

“Narendra Modi has only done politics of spreading hate for the last 12 years. By diverting your attention, they have taken the money of farmers, laborers and small businessmen and given it to Adani and Ambani. The Union government was running the MGNREGA scheme which would have provided employment to millions of people. The Modi government has changed the scheme and stopped giving money to the workers.” Congress stated that Congress

He further claimed, “The Prime Minister has done demonetisation, cutting off the cash flow of small businesses. On one side, businesses have been destroyed, while on the other Adani and Ambani’s loans have been waived. Ambani is selling Indian oil worth thousands of crores of rupees abroad, but Narendra Modi will not stop him. One day Adani and Ambani will run away while the poor people suffer and hide in their palace.”

He claimed that people were struggling to afford food and cooking gas and the youth had no jobs. “The country is in such a state and the prime minister is making an absurd statement,” he added.

Mr Gandhi, who also addressed a public meeting called ‘Mahila Samvad’ in Lalganj, said: “The Congress stands firmly for women’s fair share in the development and leadership of the country.”

He also participated in the ‘Gram Vikas Samvad’ program and inaugurated a ‘baarat ghar’ (social hall for conducting marriage ceremonies) in Rae Bareli.

The Congress said Mr Gandhi and his family share an emotional bond with the people of Rae Bareli and Amethi.

“Since the 1970s, I have witnessed the Gandhi family giving prime importance to the people of Rae Bareli and Amethi. Despite the heat, the enthusiasm of the common people in Rae Bareli to welcome and join Rahul Ji’s programs was historic. Every party worker and common man from Uttar Pradesh stands shoulder to shoulder with the leader. The tour brought new energy among the common workers in Tiaywar Congress,” said Op Op Pramod in Tiywar Congress. Sabha who received Mr. Gandhi at the Lucknow Airport.

Published – 19 May 2026 20:58 IST