‘Apology to Nation Is in Order’: BJP’s Pradeep Bhandari Hits Back at Rahul Gandhi After 7.8% GDP Growth

September 1, 2026

New Delhi: BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Monday demanded an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after India recorded 7.8 per cent real GDP growth in the first quarter of FY27, saying the latest data showed the Indian economy continued to outperform other major economies.

Reacting to India’s GDP figures, Bhandari said Rahul Gandhi had previously described the Indian economy as a “dead economy” and argued that the latest growth data contradicted that assessment.

“An apology to the nation is in order because Rahul Gandhi had labelled the Indian economy a dead economy,” Bhandari said.

He claimed that India’s 7.8 per cent growth rate showed the country was outperforming China and the United States and had remained the fastest-growing major economy for more than six years.

BJP Hits Back at Rahul Gandhi

Bhandari said India had maintained strong economic fundamentals despite global challenges, including the energy crisis and wider economic headwinds.

“Despite the global energy crisis and global economic headwinds, India stands out as the only economy with strong fundamentals — one that is simultaneously achieving growth and creating jobs,” he said.

The BJP spokesperson also accused Rahul Gandhi and what he called his “global ecosystem” of portraying India as a weak economy.

Bhandari attributed India’s economic performance to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as the contribution of Indian entrepreneurs and workers.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian economy — driven by Indian entrepreneurs and the workforce — has reclaimed its status as the fastest-growing economy with a growth rate of 7.8%,” he said.

Dilip Ghosh Welcomes GDP Growth

West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh also welcomed the 7.8 per cent GDP growth recorded during the April-June quarter.

Speaking in Kolkata, Ghosh said the government had nearly achieved the economic growth target it had set and criticised those who frequently questioned the government’s performance.

“The government has nearly achieved the target it had set. People criticise a lot. The current government delivers on what it promises,” Ghosh said.

He added that India was progressing under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership across areas including law and order, sports and the economy.

India Records 7.8% Real GDP Growth in Q1 FY27

According to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), India’s real GDP grew 7.8 per cent in Q1 FY27, covering April-June 2026.

Real GDP was estimated at Rs 81.36 lakh crore, compared with Rs 75.46 lakh crore in the corresponding quarter of FY26.

The latest figure was also higher than the 7 per cent Q1 FY27 growth estimate previously projected by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The RBI revised its full-year FY27 real GDP growth forecast to 6.7 per cent from 6.6 per cent.

Nominal GDP at current prices stood at an estimated Rs 88.27 lakh crore in Q1 FY27, compared with Rs 80 lakh crore a year earlier, marking 10.3 per cent growth.

Real gross value added (GVA) was estimated at Rs 73.82 lakh crore, compared with Rs 68.21 lakh crore in Q1 FY26, representing growth of 8.2 per cent.

MoSPI noted that the Q1 GDP estimates are subject to revisions. It said improved data coverage and revisions to input data provided by source agencies could affect subsequent estimates.

The next quarterly GDP release, covering July-September 2026 (Q2 FY27), is scheduled for November 30, 2026.