‘Cancel your own foreign tours’: Opposition leaders in Maharashtra slam PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech, asking citizens to take up austerity measures, has received flak in Maharashtra as Opposition leaders on Monday (May 11, 2026) raised questions over the political campaigns of Mr. Modi in five States during the elections, asking him to cancel his own foreign tours first.

NCP-SP leader Rohini Khadse referring to Mr Modi’s statement in Hyderabad, in which he asked citizens to “reduce the use of petrol and diesel”, said “In the elections of five States, what a thunderous campaign was done, big rallies were held, road shows organised. Now, is the Prime Minister starting to see a crisis?”

During his speech on Sunday (May 10, 2026), Mr Modi appealed citizens to avoid foreign travel for a year, avoid buying gold, use public transport and electric vehicles [EVs], and adopt work from home. The appeal comes following the ongoing West Asia conflict, which has disrupted the oil and gas supply.

Maharashtra Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal suggested that Mr Modi should first make ‘sacrifice’ in national interest and proceed towards ‘Vanaprastha Ashram’.

“The ‘compromised Prime Minister’ has completely failed in running the nation. The “propaganda minister” Mr Modi was busy only with elections, advertisements, communalism, and politics of hatred. Citizens facing a severe shortage of fuel and LPG gas, paying a heavy price for Narendra Modi’s negligence, arrogance, and whimsical style of governance,” he said.

The Ministry of External Affairs had announced that Mr Modi will embark on a seven-day trip to the UAE, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway and Italy on this month. Ms. Khadse took a dig at Mr Modi on X, saying, “This is like getting away with it after doing it, and then starting to worship God. If limits are to be imposed, then cancel your own foreign tours, ask VIPs to travel by public transport, stop spending on advertisements and the use of private jets and helicopters.

Social activist Anjali Damania advised Mr. Modi to practice what he is preaching as he is travelling abroad soon. “His convoy has at least 40-50 cars. How appropriate is this? He should first practice and then appeal to civilians to cut down on things,” she said.

“Why should only the common people follow everything?” she asked.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Fadnavis came out in support of Mr Modi, pointing out that the situation is worse in the neighbouring country. “If we don’t consume the oil and gas responsibly, we might have to face the scarcity like the neighbouring countries, where oil and gas prices are skyrocketing.”