Chandigarh: Congress general secretary Kumari Selja on Tuesday said people are already struggling with rising inflation, unemployment and mounting economic pressure and yet the Centre is repeatedly asking them to make "sacrifices and compromises" instead of offering solutions.
In a statement released here, she claimed such repeated appeals indicate that the government has failed to effectively tackle economic challenges.
The Sirsa MP further remarked that at times, people are advised to reduce the use of petrol and diesel and at other times, to limit household spending. Sometimes, they are asked to cut down on daily necessities.
"These repeated appeals clearly show that the economic burden on ordinary citizens is continuously increasing," she claimed.
The Congress leader's remarks come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent appeal for austerity amid the West Asia conflict.
प्रधानमंत्री जी द्वारा जनता से बार-बार त्याग और समझौते की अपील करना इस बात का संकेत है कि भाजपा सरकार आर्थिक चुनौतियों से निपटने में पूरी तरह विफल साबित हुई है।
कभी पेट्रोल कम उपयोग करने की सलाह, कभी खर्च सीमित करने की बात, तो कभी आम जरूरतों में कटौती का संदेश। यह स्थिति बताती… https://t.co/6rLP2MNU3P
— Kumari Selja (@Kumari_Selja) May 11, 2026
Emphasising that the Centre is trying to shield people from the adverse impact of the West Asia conflict, Modi on Sunday called for judicious use of fuel, postponement of gold purchases and foreign travel, among other measures to strengthen the economy.
Kumari Selja added that it is the government's responsibility to provide relief to citizens, create a stable economic environment and generate employment opportunities.
The Congress party, she said, would continue to emphatically raise issues concerning the common people.
READ ALSO: BJP leaders arrive in big convoys despite PM Modi's austerity appeal; opposition cries foul
Selja also attacked the central government over the alleged paper leak in the NEET-UG conducted earlier this month.
The National Testing Agency on Tuesday cancelled the NEET (UG) 2026 exam held on May 3 amid allegations of paper leak, with the government asking the CBI to carry out a comprehensive inquiry into the "irregularities".
Kumari Selja said, "Reports of the alleged NEET 2026 paper leak amount to a direct attack on the future and hard work of millions of students across the country."
She further said, "When examinations fall victim to corruption and paper leaks instead of being conducted with transparency and honesty, the biggest sufferers are poor and middle-class students who spend years preparing to fulfil their dreams."
READ ALSO: NEET UG 2026 exam cancelled: Why the exam has been cancelled, re-exam date and what's next?
The former Union minister said repeated incidents of paper leaks have raised serious questions about the accountability and functioning of the BJP government.
Kumari Selja called the trust of over 22 lakh students and their families being shaken "extremely worrying".
She added that ensuring a safe, fair and transparent examination system is the responsibility of the government, and the Congress party would continue to raise issues concerning the rights, future and equal opportunities of the youth.
