Narendra ModiRahul GandhiIndian National CongressBharatiya Janata PartyWest Asia conflict
Rahul Gandhi Calls Modi 'Compromised PM' Over Austerity Appeal Amid West Asia Crisis
Published: May 11, 2026
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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of economic mismanagement, stating the 'compromised PM' is no longer capable of running the country, after Modi urged citizens to adopt austerity measures amid the West Asia crisis. Gandhi called Modi's appeal for reduced consumption 'evidence of failure,' saying the government was shifting responsibility onto the public.
Modi, speaking at a BJP rally in Hyderabad on Sunday, urged Indians to reduce petrol and diesel use, postpone gold purchases and foreign travel, work from home, and adopt public transport to conserve foreign exchange. He cited disruptions from the West Asia conflict, including sharp increases in fuel and fertiliser prices, and called for national unity to withstand external shocks.
The Congress party dismissed Modi's appeal as reckless, saying the government had failed to build energy security despite months of escalating tensions following the US-Iran war. In a statement Sunday, the party called the austerity push 'shameless and immoral,' arguing that contingency planning, not public burden, should be the response.
Modi emphasized that measures like video conferencing and remote work used during the pandemic could be reinstated to reduce economic strain. The government maintains it is shielding citizens from global shocks, but acknowledges supply chain pressures are testing domestic resilience.
The Congress leadership plans to raise the issue in upcoming parliamentary sessions, while the Prime Minister's Office continues to coordinate with ministries on monitoring fuel and food prices. No formal policy changes have been announced, but officials say the public appeal will be reviewed based on economic indicators in the next quarter.