Etah (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 13 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Akhilesh Yadav has criticized the BJP-led Central government regarding the declining rupee and rising inflation, while also expressing worries about the long-term effects of the West Asia crisis on the Indian economy.
‘One can never expect accurate figures from the Government of India and the BJP… Inflation is rising, and the rupee is falling. A cup of tea now costs Rs 20-25. We are unable to control petrol and diesel prices. If inflation continues to rise like this, what state will our economy be in? How will the country be run?…’, he told ANI.
‘The country’s only issue is the BJP, and the problem can be resolved only when the BJP is removed (a change in government at the Centre)…’
He also addressed the Ministry of External Affairs’ summons to US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks in response to strikes on ships. ‘While this is the Government of India’s decision, our foreign policy is so weak… This summons is like a message conveying that we are adopting a tough stance. India cannot take on a country like the US. Our country changed many policies for the US, yet their policies landed us in trouble…’
Akhilesh Yadav’s comments come after the death of three Indian sailors in a U.S. military strike on a commercial tanker in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel, MT Settebello, was targeted on Wednesday after U.S. forces accused it of breaching the ongoing naval blockade on Iranian ports. Of the 24 Indian crew members on board, 21 were rescued, while the three others were confirmed deceased.
Meanwhile, India’s retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), increased to 3.93 percent in May from 3.48 percent in April, according to data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Friday.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) stated, ‘Year-on-year inflation rate based on All India Consumer Price Index (CPI) with base year 2024 for the month of May, 2026 over May, 2025 is 3.93% (Provisional).’
The respective inflation rates for rural and urban areas stood at 4.25 percent and 3.53 percent, respectively.
Food inflation also saw an upward trend during the month. According to the release, ‘Year-on-year inflation rate based on All India Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) for the month of May, 2026 over May, 2025 is 4.78% (Provisional).’ Rural food inflation was recorded at 4.85 percent, while urban food inflation was at 4.66 percent.
Among major expenditure categories, food and beverages inflation was at 4.55 percent, while inflation for restaurants and accommodation services reached 5.75 percent. Personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services experienced the highest inflation among broad divisions at 18.46 percent.
Housing inflation was recorded at 2.12 percent during May. The release noted, ‘Year-on-year Housing inflation rate for the month of May, 2026 is 2.12% (Provisional),’ with rural and urban housing inflation at 2.73 percent and 1.91 percent, respectively.
At the item level, silver jewellery saw the highest inflation at 155.23 percent in May, followed by tomato at 48.43 percent, gold/diamond/platinum jewellery at 40.93 percent, and ginger at 32.49 percent.
Conversely, potato prices experienced a significant decline, with inflation at (-)23.71 percent. Peas recorded inflation of (-)11.47 percent, while motor car and jeep prices fell by 7.19 percent year-on-year.
Among states with a population exceeding 50 lakh, Telangana reported the highest retail inflation at 6.15 percent in May, followed by Tamil Nadu at 5.11 percent, Andhra Pradesh at 4.90 percent, Karnataka at 4.59 percent, and Odisha at 4.54 percent. (ANI)
