Rajya Sabha MP Lahar Singh Siroya criticises Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for contradicting his earlier remarks on India’s “dead economy” by claiming credit for Foxconn’s investment in Karnataka. Siroya attributes India’s investment success to the Modi government, highlighting fiscal discipline and sustained economic growth over the past 12 years
BENGALURU: Rajya Sabha MP Lahar Singh Siroya has launched a sharp criticism against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his earlier remarks calling the Indian economy a “dead economy,” which he made in the context of the tariff dispute between the US and India under former President Donald Trump. Siroya, who has consistently been vocal about his support for the Modi government, accused Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders of hypocrisy after they now claimed credit for investments in Karnataka, including the much-discussed Foxconn investment.
My statement on how @RahulGandhi and @INCIndia leaders, who were jumping around saying that Indian economy was “dead” are now claiming credit for investment in #Karnataka. Can a multinational co. invest in India without the Union govt. creating a conducive investment climate? 1/7 pic.twitter.com/5s6rhnq1eG
— Lahar Singh Siroya (@LaharSingh_MP) December 27, 2025
Siroya’s comments came after Gandhi, along with several Congress leaders, started taking credit for Foxconn’s proposed investment in Karnataka, despite having previously criticised India’s economic conditions. In a post on ‘X,’ Siroya questioned whether multinational companies like Foxconn would have chosen to invest in India without a supportive policy environment created by the Union government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“My statement on how Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders, who were jumping around saying that the Indian economy was ‘dead’, are now claiming credit for investment in #Karnataka. Can a multinational company invest in India without the Union govt. creating a conducive investment climate?” Siroya wrote.
The Congress party has repeatedly targeted the Indian economy during its various political campaigns, and Rahul Gandhi himself was among the first to endorse US President Donald Trump’s description of India as a “dead economy” during the tariff dispute. This remark, which was widely criticised, was echoed by other Congress leaders, further tarnishing India’s image on the global stage.
However, Siroya pointed out, Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have been quick to embrace the investments flowing into the state, particularly Foxconn’s plans to set up a manufacturing unit in Karnataka. He accused the Congress leadership of taking credit for job creation and economic progress in the state without acknowledging the role of the Modi-led NDA government, which has worked tirelessly to create a positive investment environment over the past 12 years.
“When Mr. Trump started a tariff war and called India a ‘dead economy’, the first person who rushed to endorse it was Shri. Rahul Gandhi. His minions in Congress repeated after him. Whenever he has gone abroad, he has spoken ill of India and Indian business. Now, without batting an eyelid, they claim credit for Foxconn’s investment and job creation in Karnataka,” Siroya wrote on ‘X.’
Siroya did not hold back in attributing India’s current investment attractiveness to the efforts of the Modi-led government, emphasising that the positive investment climate in India is a direct result of sustained policy efforts, fiscal discipline, and economic stability maintained by the NDA government. He pointed out that it is the policies implemented by the Modi government that have attracted global investors, including Foxconn, to consider India for major investments.
Thanks @RahulGandhi for acknowledging the success of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s ‘Make in India’ programme. As you have noted, we are becoming a producer economy as we implement our PM’s vision. pic.twitter.com/1K8kmE6s3t
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) December 24, 2025
“If the NDA government under Modi Ji had not worked meticulously in the last 12 years to create a positive investment climate, maintain fiscal discipline, and a high rate of economic growth, would any multinational company even consider any investment in India?” Siroya questioned.
Furthermore, Siroya highlighted Karnataka’s long history as a technology hub, but pointed out that Congress should not claim ownership of this achievement. He noted that successive state governments, including those led by Congress, had made technology promotion a priority since the 1980s, contributing to the state’s growth as an IT and manufacturing powerhouse.
Siroya also took a swipe at the Congress party’s record on investment during its rule in Karnataka. He claimed that Karnataka had often lost out on potential investments to neighbouring states during Congress-led governance, particularly during Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s tenure. Siroya challenged the Congress to release a white paper on how many companies had chosen to invest outside Karnataka during Siddaramaiah’s first term as CM.
