Opposition leaders criticised PM Modi’s seven-point appeal on fuel conservation and reduced consumption, with warning that petrol and diesel prices could rise soon.
A file photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PTI)
Opposition parties on Monday sharpened their attack on the Centre over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “seven appeals” aimed at reducing fuel consumption and conserving foreign exchange amid the ongoing West Asia crisis, with CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar warning that people could soon face a hike in petrol and diesel prices.
Reacting to the Prime Minister’s remarks in Secunderabad on Sunday, Sandosh said the government had failed to handle the situation and claimed the appeals themselves reflected the severity of the crisis confronting the country.
“We thought that the government of India should play an active role in controlling the situation. It is a clear indicator of the crisis that we are facing. This is a confession by PM Modi. The government has failed on all fronts, and we can expect a fuel hike in the coming days. The coming days will be miserable,” Sandosh told news agency ANI.
The Prime Minister had urged citizens to reduce fuel usage, adopt work-from-home practices, avoid unnecessary foreign travel, cut edible oil consumption, move towards natural farming and avoid non-essential gold purchases as part of what he described as “economic self-defence” in the face of global instability.
OPPOSITION QUESTIONS GOVERNMENT’S HANDLING
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam spokesperson TKS Elangovan also criticised the Centre and alleged that the government was preparing the ground for higher fuel prices.
“The government’s role is to provide petrol. They are planning to increase the prices. Under pressure from Trump, they have stopped the purchase of crude oil from Russia. That is the reason for this crisis,” Elangovan said while speaking to ANI.
Questioning the practicality of the Prime Minister’s appeal to revive remote working arrangements, the DMK leader added, “How can everybody work from home?”
The criticism came after PM Modi stressed that India must reduce dependence on imports and save foreign exchange reserves amid global supply chain disruptions and rising energy costs triggered by conflicts in West Asia.
The Prime Minister said citizens should increasingly rely on public transport, metro rail systems, electric vehicles and car-pooling to reduce petrol and diesel consumption.
AAP SAYS PEOPLE ASKED TO “BEAR BURDEN”
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh accused the Centre of shifting the burden of the economic crisis onto ordinary citizens in the name of patriotism.
“Dear fellow countrymen, until the elections, Modi ji bore your burdens; once the elections are over, your utility is done. Now, in the name of patriotism, get in line. Gas has become expensive; now petrol and diesel will also get costlier. In the name of patriotism, you must stop using petrol, diesel, and gas; don’t buy gold; don’t even use cooking oil,” Singh wrote in a post on X.
He further targeted the Prime Minister’s rallies and foreign visits, alleging double standards in the government’s messaging.
“But Modi ji will bring lakhs of people to his rallies in droves, go on foreign trips, burn plenty of fuel; his people won’t just buy gold, they’ll snap up the entire nation’s wealth, but you keep playing the fool,” Singh added.
AKHILESH YADAV CALLS APPEAL “ADMISSION OF FAILURE”
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also launched a broadside against the BJP, terming the Prime Minister’s appeal an “admission of failure” by the government.
“As soon as the elections ended, the ‘crisis’ came to mind! In fact, there’s only one ‘crisis’ for the country, and its name is: ‘BJP’,” Yadav wrote on X.
Questioning the Centre’s economic management, he said, “If so many restrictions had to be imposed, how will the ‘jumla economy of five trillion dollars’ ever come about? It seems the reins have completely slipped from the hands of the BJP government.”
The SP chief also criticised the timing of the appeals, pointing to the BJP’s extensive election campaigning in states including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry.
“Weren’t the thousands of charter flights the BJP folks took during the elections flying on water? Why didn’t the BJP do their election campaigning just through video conferencing? Are all these restrictions only for the public?” he asked.
Yadav further claimed the appeals would create panic in markets and businesses and accused the BJP government of failing in both domestic and foreign policy.
CONGRESS DEMANDS PARLIAMENT SESSION
Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram demanded that Parliament be convened immediately to explain the circumstances behind the Prime Minister’s “very serious directives.”
“What are the triggers for this? The Government must convene Parliament immediately & take the nation into confidence & inform us about the true state of affairs which has necessitated these ‘appeals’,” Chidambaram wrote on X.
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