Congress launches 12-city blitzkrieg on govt’s economic policies before Budget

As a prelude to the upcoming Union Budget, the Congress mounted an aggressive campaign against the Modi government, highlighting economic mismanagement, the “loot” of the common man through indirect taxes, and the flaws of the GST (goods and services tax) regime.

Simultaneous press conferences in 12 cities, led by 12 senior Congress leaders, sought to underscore the economic crisis gripping the nation and the Union government's alleged pro-corporate bias.

At a press conference in Lucknow, Congress social media chairperson Supriya Shrinate lashed out at the GST regime, calling it a "Gabbar Singh Tax" that burdens ordinary citizens.

“From matchboxes to medicines, GST is imposed on almost everything. Shockingly, 64 per cent of GST collection comes from the bottom 50 per cent of the population. The common man is being strangled in the name of tax,” she said.

Professor Rajeev Gowda, speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, accused the government of turning GST into a farce. He highlighted the rampant tax evasion, stating, “In the last financial year, Rs 2 lakh crore in GST evasion was reported. Over 200 circulars and 900 clarifications have been issued since GST’s inception, making compliance a nightmare for small businesses. This is not a streamlined tax regime — it’s chaos.”

Gowda also criticised the government for prioritising the interests of corporations over the needs of ordinary citizens. “The poor may not pay income tax, but GST ensures they bear the brunt of taxation. Essential expenses like health insurance have become unaffordable, pushing families back into poverty during crises,” he added.

Party MP Gaurav Gogoi, addressing the media in Jorhat, Assam, described GST as a "loot mechanism" targeting common people. "The burden of GST is mostly paid by the poor and middle-income people. Poor people don't pay income tax, but because of GST, the poor and middle-income people pay a higher amount of tax than the rich people," Gogoi said.

His sentiments were echoed by Gujarat Congress chief Shakti Singh Gohil, who addressed media in Delhi. Gohil pointed out the stark disparity in tax contributions: “The common citizen pays over two-thirds of taxes, while Modiji’s corporate allies contribute a mere 3 per cent of GST. This glaring gap shows how the government favours the rich at the expense of the poor and middle class.”

Gohil also invoked former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, stating, “GST was envisioned to provide relief, not loot people. Unfortunately, the BJP has turned it into a tool for exploitation.”

In Ahmedabad, Congress leader M. Kumaramangalam drew attention to the disproportionate tax burden on individuals. “Corporate tax revenue has grown by only 1.2 per cent year-on-year, while GST collections have risen by 12 per cent and personal income tax by a staggering 20 per cent. Today, it is the individual taxpayer who is funding this government, not corporations,” she said.

The Congress’ synchronised attack across cities signals its intent to hold the Modi government accountable for the economic challenges facing the nation. By drawing attention to the inequities of the GST system and the increasing tax burden on the middle-class, the party has framed the economic debate ahead of the Budget.

Political observers say with elections upcoming in Delhi, the 360-degree critique launched by the grand old party, aims to strike a chord with voters who feel left behind in an economy rigged for the cronies having close ties with the Modi government.