Telangana BJP accuses Congress of distorting PM’s appeal

HYDERABAD

The Telangana BJP termed it 'unfortunate' that the Congress party chose to criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal, urging citizens to reduce gold purchases, promote domestic tourism and adopt energy conservation measures in the national interest.

Addressing a press conference at the State BJP office on Tuesday, BJP president N. Ramchander Rao said that the global economy is under strain due to the ongoing crisis in West Asia, which has affected international energy markets. While fuel prices have surged sharply in several countries, he said that the Modi government has managed to keep them relatively stable in India.

Mr. Rao noted that only a few countries, including Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, India and Brazil, have been able to maintain some control over fuel prices. Despite this, he alleged that the Congress was running a “malicious propaganda campaign” against the Centre.

The BJP leader asserted that the Union government has not only borne the burden of rising global costs but has also strengthened the country’s economy. He strongly condemned what he described as a “deliberate distortion” of the Prime Minister’s appeal, accusing the Congress of attempting to mislead the public.

“It is inappropriate to view the Prime Minister’s suggestions through a political lens,” Mr. Rao said, alleging that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and other Congress leaders were spreading “false propaganda”. Questioning the criticism, he asked, “What is wrong with encouraging the use of solar pumps, public transport, electric vehicles, and indigenous goods under the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative?”

Mr. Rao also urged the Congress to reflect on its own record, pointing to instances when its leaders had called for reduced public spending. However, a purported newspaper clipping of The Hindu he displayed, featuring former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was later found to be fake, causing embarrassment to the party.