The Congress on Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s entire focus is not on reducing inflation, but on showing low inflation figures, stating that a government focused on propaganda and data manipulation cannot be trusted to work for the welfare of the people.

Congress general secretary for communications Jairam Ramesh said that India has experienced ten years of Modi-made inflation, which was due to the poor policy of the government.

“The Prime Minister’s focus is not on curbing inflation but on portraying it as low. The government is actively attempting to manipulate the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Wholesale Price Index (WPI) statistics to suggest that inflation is under control, while in reality, ordinary citizens are faced with relentless price increases,” Ramesh said in a statement shared on X.

He highlighted that the surge in prices, especially for food, fuel, and everyday necessities, has imposed a significant burden on working-class and middle-class families in India. Despite a decline in global crude oil prices, petrol and diesel remain costly in India, exacerbating transportation and service costs, Ramesh noted.

“Food inflation remains a critical issue, contributing to the overall inflation levels. The government is now considering reducing the weightage of food items in the CPI, which is a tactic to obscure the real effects of inflation, showing a preference for manipulating uncomfortable data instead of addressing the issue,” he explained.

Ramesh added that this proposed change in CPI weightage is not only dishonest but will also adversely affect the incomes of an estimated 3-4 crore individuals, including government and semi-government employees. He pointed out that dearness allowance and salary increases have already diminished compared to the period under the UPA government, and further declines are expected.

“This is not a new occurrence. The Modi government has consistently attempted to mislead the public with data manipulation. For instance, when the BJP government lagged behind the UPA in GDP growth, it sought to artificially inflate the growth figures by altering the base year,” he stated, noting similar tactics in relation to job creation promises.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday that her government will go with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government’s decision, after the arrest of an ISKCON priest in Bangladesh in a sedition case.

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, an ISKCON priest, was arrested after a sedition case was filed against him and 18 others on October 31. The charges were linked to the hoisting of a saffron flag above Bangladesh’s official flag during the October 25 rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram.

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Banerjee expressed concern over the developing situation in the neighbouring country. The chief minister emphasised that she preferred not to comment on the matter, as it pertains to another country.

She clarified that the issue was for the central government to address, and her state government would abide by its decision.

“Bangladesh is a different country. The government of India will look into it. It does not come under our jurisdiction. We are not supposed to talk about it or interfere. While we feel sorry inside, we follow the policies set by the Centre,” she said.

Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress supremo, also mentioned that she had spoken with representatives of ISKCON on the matter, but did not elaborate further.

Following the arrest of the priest, members of Hindu Mahasabha on Thursday staged a march towards Bangladesh’s deputy high commission protesting against the ongoing atrocities against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. A police personnel got injured after a scuffle broke out between the police and members of Hindu Mahasabha.

Earlier today in Kolkata, ISKCON volunteers organised a Kirtan protest against the arrest of ISKCON priest Chinmoy Das by Dhaka police.

“We want a united Bangladesh,” said the priest, arrested by Bangladeshi authorities, in a message from a prison van on Tuesday. Addressing his followers outside the Chittagong court, the ISKCON priest, who enjoys massive popularity in the country, urged his supporters to remain peaceful and avoid disrupting public order.

Communication Director, ISKCON, Vrajendra Nandan Das said: “If an institution like ISKCON is called a terrorist and radical organisation in Bangladesh, it’s a baseless thing and a lie. No one – in India and around the world will accept this. Those devotees who organised Bhandara and fed needy people – were killed. I hope that the interim govt of Bangladesh will take strict action against the culprits and I expect them to give proper security to Hindus.”

In a statement, Bangladesh ISKCON general secretary Charu Chandra Das condemned the violence that happened after Chinmoy Das’s arrest. ISKCON requests the government of Bangladesh that all the “Sanatanis should be allowed to leave peacefully and peaceful coexistence must be promoted.”

“Chinmoy Das is a Bangladeshi citizen. He has always advocated the protection of minorities in Bangladesh,” he added.

Meanwhile, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday backed the arrested Hindu leader, Chinmoy Krishna Das.

She called for the immediate release of the priest. She asked the Bangladesh government to protect religious and ethnic minorities that have braved violence since her ouster from power in August.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday captured a special moment of his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra while she was entering the Parliament for the first time as a member after a massive victory in the recent Wayanad Lok Sabha byelection.

In the video shared widely on the internet, while brother Rahul was moving a bit ahead at the stairs took out his mobile phone and asked her sister to stop, while she was steps away from the Parliament hall’s main entrance, to click some pictures of sister and newly elected Wayanad MP.

A video of of Rahul Gandhi clicking pictures of Priyanka Gandhi, and asking her to smile was shared by an X user.

In the video, Rahul is heard saying, “Let me take a picture too,” as laughter and lighthearted moments unfold among the group. Another clip shows Rahul asking Priyanka to step back so he can photograph her, while others move aside. True to his role as a supportive brother, he also shared the photo with Priyanka.

Priyanka’s oath of office followed her impressive victory in Kerala’s Wayanad constituency. Today, she took her oath as a Lok Sabha MP, joining her mother Sonia and brother Rahul in Parliament. It was a rare moment for three family members to serve together.

During the session, Priyanka took her oath in Hindi while holding a copy of the Constitution. Her journey into active politics officially began with today’s oath-taking in the Lok Sabha, accompanied by fellow Congress leader Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan, who was also sworn in as an MP from Nanded.

Priyanka arrived in Parliament alongside her mother, and her brother Rahul Gandhi and husband Robert Vadra were present to support her during the ceremony.

She secured the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat with a remarkable margin of 410,931 votes in the recent by-elections, held concurrently with the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections in 2024.

After entering politics in 2019 and being appointed as Congress general secretary, Priyanka Gandhi has now embarked on her journey as an elected representative of the people.