SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav Slams PM Modi's Fuel Savings Appeal as Economic Failure

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday accused the BJP-led central government of economic and foreign policy failure, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for fuel conservation and reduced gold imports an 'admission of failure.' The remarks follow Modi's Sunday call for judicious fuel use, postponed foreign travel, and deferred gold purchases to mitigate economic fallout from the West Asia conflict.

Yadav questioned how the government could pursue a 'five trillion dollar economy' while imposing restrictions, alleging the rupee was collapsing as the dollar surged. 'The dollar is touching the sky while the Indian rupee is sinking deeper,' he said in a post on X, blaming the government's economic management. He claimed BJP leaders were converting black money into gold and said austerity appeals should target them, not the public.

The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister challenged the timing of the appeal, noting BJP leaders used chartered flights and luxury hotels during elections. 'Were those planes flying on water?' he asked, suggesting hypocrisy. He warned the government's messaging could trigger panic, saying it would spread 'fear, anxiety, restlessness and disappointment' in markets and trade.

Yadav attributed the economic strain to the government's foreign policy shift away from non-alignment, asserting it had led to inflation, unemployment, and economic distress across sectors. He alleged the BJP had damaged the country across cultural, social, and political spheres and claimed rising public anger would not be contained by electoral tactics.

The Samajwadi Party chief said the government should acknowledge its failures instead of imposing burdens on citizens. The Ministry of Finance has not issued a formal response, but officials are expected to address the economic outlook in a press briefing on Tuesday.