Rahul Gandhi Attacks PM Modi Over Economic Appeals, Says Government Is ‘Shifting Burden Onto People’

A day after Narendra Modi urged citizens to collectively contribute towards helping India navigate global economic uncertainties, the appeal triggered sharp political reactions from the Opposition, with Rahul Gandhi accusing the government of attempting to shift responsibility for its failures onto ordinary people.

Addressing a public gathering in Hyderabad, Prime Minister Modi had called upon citizens to adopt a series of austerity and conservation measures in view of global disruptions and economic challenges.

He appealed to people to reduce the consumption of petroleum products, conserve foreign exchange reserves, and prioritise domestic goods over imports.

Among the suggestions made by the Prime Minister were greater use of public transport, increased adoption of electric vehicles, revival of work-from-home arrangements and virtual meetings where possible, reduction in non-essential foreign travel, and limiting gold purchases for at least a year.

Modi also asked citizens to minimise dependence on imported products and support local manufacturing.

The Prime Minister framed these measures as part of a broader national effort to strengthen economic resilience during a period of global instability.

However, Rahul Gandhi launched a strong attack on the government, saying the Prime Minister’s appeal reflected the failure of his administration rather than a roadmap for national progress.

In a post on X, Gandhi said Modi was effectively asking people to make sacrifices because the government had failed to manage the economy properly over the past 12 years.

“Yesterday, the Prime Minister asked people not to buy gold, not to travel abroad, to reduce petrol consumption, use less fertiliser and cooking oil, travel by Metro, and work from home.

These are not sermons — these are proofs of failure,” Gandhi wrote.

He further alleged that the government routinely places the burden of crisis management on citizens while avoiding accountability itself.

“Every time, responsibility is shifted onto the public so that the government can escape accountability. Running the country is no longer within the reach of a compromised Prime Minister,” Gandhi said.

The Congress leader has repeatedly targeted Modi in recent months over India’s foreign policy decisions and the trade agreement with the United States.

Gandhi has alleged that the Prime Minister was under pressure from Washington while negotiating the India-US trade deal.

He has also linked this alleged pressure to controversies surrounding businessman Gautam Adani and references to the “Epstein files”, claims that the ruling BJP has strongly rejected.

Joining the criticism, Akhilesh Yadav also described the Prime Minister’s appeal as an “admission of failure” by the government.

In a social media post, the Samajwadi Party leader said the Centre suddenly remembers economic difficulties only after elections conclude.

“In reality, there is only one crisis facing the country, and its name is BJP,” Yadav wrote.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also questioned how India could realistically achieve its long-promised target of becoming a $5 trillion economy if citizens were simultaneously being asked to reduce spending and consumption.

The political exchange comes at a time when concerns over global economic uncertainty, energy prices, and geopolitical instability continue to affect economies across the world.

Rising import costs, disruptions in international trade,e and pressure on foreign exchange reserves have prompted several governments globally to push for energy conservation and domestic economic strengthening.

During his Hyderabad address, Modi stressed the importance of collective participation in national development and economic stability.

He encouraged people to adopt more sustainable lifestyles, use public infrastructure, and reduce unnecessary expenditure on imported goods and luxury consumption.

At the same event, the Prime Minister also intensified his criticism of the Indian National Congress, accusing the party of ideological drift.

In a sharp political remark, Modi said the Congress had become “more Left than the Leftists and more Muslim than the Muslim League.” He further referred to the party as “MMC,” claiming it now stood for “Muslim League, Maoist Congress.”

The comments are likely to further escalate political tensions between the ruling BJP and Opposition parties as both sides sharpen their narratives ahead of upcoming electoral battles and debates over the country’s economic direction.