New Delhi : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has triggered a political uproar by endorsing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial “dead economy” remark about India. Aimed at targeting the Modi government, Gandhi’s statement has drawn sharp criticism — not just from the ruling BJP, but also from leaders within his own party and allies of the Opposition bloc.
Speaking to the media in Parliament, Gandhi said, “I’m happy that President Trump has spoken the truth. The Prime Minister is killing the Indian economy.” He blamed demonetization and a flawed GST rollout as key reasons behind what he called a collapse of India’s economic foundation.
However, his endorsement of a foreign leader’s harsh assessment has not gone down well even among Congress veterans. Senior party leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor subtly rebuked Gandhi, stating that India should not pay heed to “baseless claims made in Washington D.C.” Tharoor emphasized that India is actively pursuing trade negotiations with the EU, has already signed a deal with the UK, and is engaging other nations showing that India’s economy is far from “dead.”
Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Shukla too disagreed with Gandhi’s stance, calling Trump’s statement “factually incorrect.” “India’s economic fundamentals remain strong. Anyone claiming we’ve been economically finished is simply mistaken Trump is misinformed,” Shukla asserted.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi joined the chorus of criticism, branding Trump’s comment as stemming from either “ignorance or arrogance.” In a post on X, she acknowledged that while India faces economic challenges like low per capita income, equating that with a ‘dead economy’ is an exaggerated and irresponsible comparison. “India remains among the world’s top five economies,” she stated.
Meanwhile, the BJP launched a scathing attack on Gandhi. Party spokesperson Amit Malviya accused him of echoing foreign propaganda. “Rahul Gandhi, by parroting Trump’s ‘dead economy’ remark, has stooped to a new low. It’s a shameful insult to the aspirations, achievements, and well-being of Indians,” he said.
Malviya went further to question Gandhi’s loyalty: “Who is Rahul Gandhi really speaking for? Why is he repeating narratives that weaken India on the global stage?” He concluded with a biting remark: “It is Rahul Gandhi’s political credibility and legacy that are truly dead.”
BJP leader K. Annamalai also weighed in, comparing Rahul Gandhi unfavorably with Shashi Tharoor. “One speaks for India’s interests; the other appears more concerned about pleasing his foreign masters,” Annamalai said.
The controversy comes at a time when global agencies like the IMF and World Bank have upgraded India’s growth outlook, reaffirming its status as the fastest-growing major economy — a point BJP leaders emphasized while countering Gandhi’s statement.
As the political temperature rises, Rahul Gandhi finds himself increasingly isolated not just from the ruling party, but within his own camp, with many wondering whether the Congress leader’s rhetoric is helping or hurting the Opposition’s cause.
