A fierce political storm erupted on Monday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal asking citizens to cut fuel consumption, avoid unnecessary foreign travel, reduce non-essential spending and adopt work-from-home practices drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders across the country.
The Prime Minister had urged people to collectively contribute towards helping India navigate global economic uncertainty triggered by the ongoing Iran-US conflict, rising crude oil prices and supply chain disruptions. However, his remarks quickly sparked backlash, with opposition parties accusing the government of shifting the burden of economic stress onto ordinary citizens.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched one of the strongest attacks, accusing the Prime Minister of asking people to sacrifice because of what he described as years of policy failure. In a post on social media, Gandhi said citizens were now being told what to buy, where to travel and how to spend because the government had failed to manage the country’s economy effectively over the last decade.
He argued that such appeals were not guidance but evidence of governance failure, while also reviving his “Compromised PM” criticism against Modi.
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh also lashed out at the Centre, alleging that the government only turns to citizens for sacrifice after elections while continuing its own spending and political campaigns without restraint.
He mocked the appeal by claiming people were now being told to stop using fuel, avoid purchases and reduce daily consumption in the name of patriotism, while accusing those in power of continuing lavish public events and foreign engagements.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also joined the criticism, calling the Prime Minister’s statement an attempt to shift responsibility for policy failures onto citizens.
She argued that poor handling of international economic challenges and misplaced political priorities had worsened the country’s vulnerability to global disruptions. According to her, asking people to reduce travel and spending was an admission that economic preparedness had fallen short.
The BJP and its allies have defended the Prime Minister’s appeal as a responsible national call for collective discipline during a period of global instability.
The political row has intensified as concerns continue to rise over fuel prices and inflationary pressures linked to tensions in West Asia, turning the Prime Minister’s appeal into a fresh flashpoint between the government and opposition parties.
