A social media post by Tesla CEO Elon Musk citing global growth data has become the latest flashpoint between the BJP and the Congress over India's economy.
The BJP has used Musk's latest tweet to counter Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's claims over the state of the economy.
Musk's Tweet Provides Fuel To BJP
The row began after Musk reacted to a global statistics post projecting India as the second-largest contributor to global GDP growth in 2026. Sharing the data, Musk wrote, "The balance of power is changing." The post, originally shared by X handle stats_feed, claimed that China and India together account for "43.6% of global growth."
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Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju shared Musk's post to criticise Rahul Gandhi over his repeated attacks on the BJP-led government's economic record.
Rijiju wrote on X: "I normally do not react to statements which are not made by Indians. I'm quoting @elonmusk only to sensitise Rahul Gandhi ji that, while criticizing the govt is a democratic right, do not disparage India & never belittle India's achievement. Be a proud Indian."
IMF Raises Growth Forecast For India
The data shared by Musk listed the top 10 countries by projected contribution to global GDP growth in 2026, citing IMF numbers, and noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounts for nearly 50% of global growth. India was placed above the US, with a forecast contribution of 17%, compared to China's 26.6%, the US' 9.9%, Indonesia's 3.8% and Germany's 0.9%.
Separately, the IMF has also projected strong growth for India, raising its forecast to 7.3% for fiscal 2025–26 and estimating GDP growth of 6.4% for 2026–27.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Reacts
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman echoed Musk's remarks. Speaking at Youth Dialogue on Budget 2026, she said, "Elon Musk takes the IMF data to say 'wow, is this true'. I don't remember if he exactly said 'wow'... China contributes 26% of growth in global GDP. India contributes 17%. Together, 43 % of global GDP growth comes from these two economies. But India's opposition should also understand that this is the kind of strength that India has acquired now."
Sitharaman added that while the gap with China remains, it can be bridged over time.
Rahul Gandhi's 'Dead Economy' Remark
The BJP's counteroffensive comes amid sustained criticism from Rahul Gandhi. He has backed US President Donald Trump's past "dead economy" remark and accused the government of economic mismanagement.
After the Finance Minister presented the Union Budget on Sunday, February 1, Gandhi again took to X, writing:
"Youth without jobs. Falling manufacturing. Investors pulling out capital. Household savings plummeting. Farmers in distress. Looming global shocks - all ignored. A Budget that refuses course correction, blind to India's real crises."
