The Congress conducted a press conference today in which it targeted the Modi government on rising prices and the employment situation. It said that a nationwide agitational program had been defined and approved by the party leadership.

Rajdeep Surjewala said in the press conference that inflation and price rise has broken the backs of common people. He also brought up job losses, farmers' issues, and labourers unable to obtain employment under MNREGA, delayed salaries, and that common people have been "stung" by the pandemic on top of these problems. There has been a special committee set up under the headship of Digvijay Singh.

"The people of the country are going a severe phase and miserable way of life, due to the actions and policies of the Modi government. Terrible price rise on petrol-disel, LPG, edible oil which are the need[ed] things for the poor people".

He said that the INC is "fighting against the bad policies of the Union Government all over India". Edible oil prices have doubled in the last one year, Venugopal said. Seasonal vegetable prices have increased by 40-50%. Similarly, non subsidized LPG cylinders have also risen by 50%.

The special committee under Digvijay Singh will chalk out a special "agitational program to highlight the anti-poor policies of this government". It has met several times and had discussions with senior leaders after which a plan of action has been defined. The CWC, with minor amendments, agreed for the program unanimously.

PCC's (State Units) have been directed to carry forward the agitational program. 14 crore jobs were also lost in the COVID pandemic period and employees have taken salary cuts of almost 30%. During 10 years of Congress government, 27 cr Indians were pulled out of poverty, whereas the present Modi Govt pushed 23 crore people into poverty, said Venugopal, citing a report by Azim Premji University.