Selja Slams Festive Inflation, Seeks Justice for Ankita Bhandari

SIRSA | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK

Sirsa MP, former Union minister, AICC general secretary and Congress Working Committee member Kumari Selja has criticised the BJP-led Central Government over rising prices during the festive season, saying that instead of looking forward to celebrations, ordinary families are increasingly worried about managing their household budgets. She said higher spending on food, everyday essentials, education and healthcare has added to the financial pressure on middle-class households, poorer families, farmers and small traders.

Selja said the combined burden of inflation and unemployment was dampening festive cheer for many people. She argued that the impact of inflation should not be judged only through official statistics, but also by whether families can meet their essential needs with their available income. According to her, Congress has consistently advocated measures to strengthen purchasing power, create employment opportunities and make essential commodities affordable.

Selja Questions Rise in Retail and Food Inflation

Citing figures mentioned in her statement, Selja said retail inflation rose to 5.54 per cent in September 2026 from 4.83 per cent in August. She said food inflation increased from 5.97 per cent to 7.74 per cent, while inflation in rural areas was recorded at 6.08 per cent. She also pointed to reported year-on-year increases of 108.09 per cent in onion prices, 62.85 per cent in ginger and 54.62 per cent in garlic.

“When the prices of essential food items are rising so sharply, how are poor and middle-class families expected to celebrate festivals?” Selja asked, urging the Centre to explain what concrete steps it would take to contain prices. The figures above reflect those cited in Selja’s statement and have not been independently verified for this report.

BOX NEWS: Selja Demands Justice for Ankita Bhandari

Selja reiterated the demands for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner and justice for Ankita Bhandari. She alleged that the BJP government was shielding influential people and questioned the progress of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. Referring to claims surrounding an alleged “VIP” and an audio recording said to have circulated publicly, she asked why the people whose names had been raised were not being investigated impartially and why, she alleged, individuals facing questions were being given legal protection or positions of importance.

These are allegations and questions raised by Selja; they should not be treated as established findings against any individual. The status of the investigation and any conclusions about the alleged role of specific people must be determined through evidence and the appropriate legal process.

Congress Says It Will Continue Its Protest

Selja said people in Uttarakhand felt deeply aggrieved and warned that public anger grows when citizens believe that justice is being denied. She accused the BJP government of corruption, authoritarianism and protecting influential people. The Congress, she said, would continue its political struggle to seek justice for Ankita Bhandari and hold the government accountable.