BJP-Congress sparring intensifies over PM Modi’s appeal to curb consumption

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi; Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Pics/PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal urging citizens to reduce their consumption of cooking oil, vehicle fuel, and gold has triggered a fresh political sparring match between the ruling alliance and the Opposition. The Prime Minister made the call in the wake of rising crude oil prices and growing global uncertainty following the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran.

PM's appeal to the nation

Modi urged citizens to avoid buying gold, reduce cooking oil consumption, switch to electric vehicles, and limit foreign travel to curb imports of crude oil, fuel, and other dollar-denominated goods. The idea behind such an appeal is that lowering the country's import bill would help reduce demand for dollars, strengthen the Indian rupee, and bolster the overall economy.

Fadnavis versus Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi, senior Indian National Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, described the Prime Minister's appeal as a reflection of the Modi government's failure. Responding to Gandhi's remarks, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took a swipe at the Congress leader, saying that Rahul Gandhi was a "rejected leader" and that his comments were not taken seriously, as he "does not understand even basic issues".