12 May,2026 12:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sharad Pawar (L) and Raj Thackeray (R)
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray on Tuesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent appeal urging citizens to adopt austerity measures in view of the escalating crisis in West Asia.
The Prime Minister had urged people to prioritise work from home, reduce fuel consumption, avoid non-essential foreign travel, buy indigenous products, cut cooking oil use, adopt natural farming methods and limit gold purchases amid concerns over rising global crude oil prices and economic uncertainty linked to the regional conflict.
Sharad Pawar called on the Centre to convene an all-party meeting and hold consultations with economists and industry experts to assess the possible impact of the crisis on India's economy.
In a post on X, Pawar said the Prime Minister's announcements had created anxiety among citizens, businesses and investors because of their sudden nature and the possible long-term economic implications.
"Considering the seriousness of this issue, the Prime Minister should convene an all-party meeting under his own chairmanship," Pawar said, adding that involving leaders from across political parties in decision-making on matters of national importance was essential.
The veteran leader also urged the Centre to immediately consult economists, industrial representatives and sector experts for a detailed review of the situation and future policy planning. He said restoring public confidence and economic stability should be the government's top priority in the present circumstances.
Raj Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the Prime Minister, questioning why austerity measures were being imposed on citizens while political leaders continued to travel with large convoys and conduct high-profile public events.
In a lengthy post on X, the MNS chief said global crude oil prices touching the $90-100 per barrel range was not unprecedented and had occurred during earlier geopolitical crises as well. He questioned why similar appeals had not been made during previous periods of high oil prices, including during earlier terms of the Modi government and the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Thackeray also questioned the government over fuel pricing, asking how revenues collected through high petrol and diesel prices over the years had been utilised.
The MNS chief further criticised welfare schemes and election spending, alleging that "freebie culture" had weakened state finances. Referring to Maharashtra's Ladki Bahin scheme, he claimed such measures were burdening the economy while inflation continued to rise.
He also accused political parties of excessive fuel consumption during election campaigns and roadshows across states, questioning why calls for fuel conservation were not made at that time.
Raj Thackeray further claimed that foreign investors had withdrawn substantial funds from Indian markets in recent months and alleged that the government was failing to attract fresh investments. He criticised overseas visits by political leaders and questioned the need for foreign trips to sign investment agreements.
Drawing comparisons with former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri's wartime austerity appeal, Thackeray said any call for sacrifice should begin with the government itself before being extended to citizens.
The MNS chief urged the Prime Minister to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the economic situation and explain the government's strategy to address the challenges arising from the West Asia crisis.
He said the opposition would continue to question the government while also supporting measures taken in the national interest.
