Modi says save fuel, netas burn each other: CM's motorcycle ride sparks hypocrisy debate

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis rides a motorcycle from Varsha to Vidhan Bhavan and Mantralaya on Thursday as a symbolic gesture backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s austerity appeal. BJP leader Ashish Shelar rode pillion during the trip. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for austerity amid rising oil prices and global uncertainty has sparked a political showdown in the state, with the ruling alliance and the Opposition accusing each other of hypocrisy over fuel-saving measures.

The controversy intensified after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday travelled by motorcycle from his official residence, Varsha, to Vidhan Bhavan and later to Mantralaya in what he described as a symbolic gesture backing the PM's message.

An image shared by NCP-SP leader Rohit Pawar on X alleging that senior BJP leaders travelled by private aircraft despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for austerity. Pic/X/@RRPSpeaks

The motorcycle ride became a political flashpoint. Fadnavis defended the move as a public awareness exercise to encourage people to reduce unnecessary expenditure and fuel consumption.

Opposition fires back

Congress allegation
The Indian National Congress alleged that the motorcycle used during the chief minister's ride did not have a valid PUC certificate.

Rohit Pawar's swipe

NCP-SP leader Rohit Pawar claimed Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan and minister Girish Mahajan had travelled by private aircraft despite the austerity push.

"People of Maharashtra, see how wonderfully austerity is being practised after the appeal by the respected Prime Minister and the chief minister. It seems their aircraft must be flying on oxygen from the air. If that is the case, the minister should not forget that many trees in Nashik have already been cut, which could lead to a shortage of fuel"
Rohit Pawar

Shiv Sena (UBT): Don't make it symbolic

A Sena (UBT) leader welcomed the motorcycle ride but asked whether the austerity would continue. The party said the real test would be when ministers and alliance leaders continue to reduce expenditure and fuel consumption.

CM Speak

‘When politicians in the state follow the appeal, the message reaches citizens, and they, too, begin to adopt it'
Devendra Fadnavis

What PM Modi asked citizens to do

Austerity checklist
>> Avoid unnecessary spending
>> Use public transport more often
>> Shift to electric vehicles
>> Reduce fuel consumption
>> Cut cooking oil usage
>> Postpone gold purchases
>> Work from home wherever possible

Why?
According to the Prime Minister, the measures are aimed at...
>> Reducing India's import bill
>> Conserving foreign exchange
>> Managing the impact of global economic uncertainty and rising oil prices