New Delhi, Jan 16 (IANS) The robust resurgence of the Indian economy, as outlined by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), describing “India as the growth engine of the world”, gave the BJP a fresh political ammo to launch a diatribe at the Congress party as well as at its leader, Rahul Gandhi.

BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan contrasted Rahul’s earlier claims of “India a dead economy” with his new assertion of “India as a bright spot”, and asked the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha whether he would apologise to the nation for his “irresponsible and grossly misleading” remark.

Taking a caustic jibe, Kesavan addressed Rahul as “Leader of Pessimism” and accused him of “maliciously lying and badmouthing the Indian Economy” and asked whether he would apologise to India and its people.

“The IMF lauding the Indian economy is a resounding rebuke and snub to Rahul Gandhi’s fake narrative and cheap political agenda, which attempted to undermine our nation’s remarkable progress and growth,” he further stated.

BJP’s blistering attack on Rahul comes a day after the IMF praised the Indian economy and lauded its “stronger than expected” third-quarter growth.

Notably, India recorded a GDP growth rate of 7.8 per cent and 8.2 per cent, respectively, in Q1 and Q2, and its Q3 is projected to stay well above 7 per cent growth. A leading domestic agency has projected the country’s overall growth rate for FY26 at 7.6 per cent.

The IMF, which is set to release its World Economic Outlook by next week, said on Thursday that “What we have seen is that the third quarter growth in India came out stronger than expected,” and the world body may upgrade its forecast soon.

“What we have seen in India is that India is a key growth engine for the world,” Julie Kozack, Director, Communications Department, IMF, told reporters on its assessment of India’s growth story in the current fiscal year.

BJP national spokesperson, further sharing IMF’s endorsement of the Indian economy, said that the Congress leader continues to get rejected by the people of the country, yet he does not refrain from “abusing and slandering Bharat to further his narrow, failed political agenda”.

Last year, the Congress MP stoked a major controversy as he called the Indian economy a “dead economy”, leaving the ruling dispensation furious and livid.

In July 2025, Rahul, speaking to media persons, backed a comment by US President Donald Trump and said, “Yes, he is right. Everybody knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. I am glad that President Trump has stated a fact. The entire world knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy.”

–IANS

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