India, Dec. 30 -- In the run up to the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, many experts, voters, and celebrities mocked the then paralysed and semi-comatose Congress-led regime by asking two economic, and speculative, yet serious, questions. The first was about the price of petrol crossing INR 100, and the second about the rupee depreciating to INR 100 against the dollar. Then, the rupee ruled at around INR 60, and petrol at around INR 70, depending on the city. In a few cities, petrol now sells for more than INR 100. The rupee, which has fallen for several years, breached INR 90, and there are speculations about it crossing INR 100.

In fact, the questions have reversed. It is now the Opposition, which is comparing 2014 with 2025, and criticisi...