Patna: The NDA on Monday hit back at the opposition, particularly Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, for criticising PM Narendra Modi’s appeal to people to avoid foreign travel and gold purchases for one year and reduce the use of petrol and diesel amid the global oil crisis triggered by the war in West Asia. Rahul had taken a swipe at the PM’s appeal made on Sunday.Launching a scathing attack on the Congress leader, senior BJP leader Mangal Pandey said Rahul, because of his adversarial mindset, would never understand the nation’s concerns.“For Rahul Gandhi, politics takes precedence over the nation’s interests. At a time when the entire world is grappling with an oil crisis caused by war, and the rupee is facing mounting pressure, the PM is advocating small sacrifices to safeguard the nation. However, those who ruled the country for nearly 60 years merely taught the public a culture of entitlement and dependency on freebies. It is the duty of every citizen to stand by the nation during times of potential adversity,” Pandey said.He alleged the nation was looted whenever a crisis struck during the Congress regime. “The Modi govt is navigating this crisis by taking the public along with it. That is the fundamental difference,” he said.BJP national secretary Rituraj Sinha described Rahul as a “Flop Prince” who travels abroad only to malign his own country and promote the agenda of foreign powers.NDA ally Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) national president and minister Santosh Kumar Suman also defended the PM’s appeal and accused Rahul of trivialising serious national issues.“When the world is passing through a phase of global challenges and economic crisis, PM Modi’s appeal is a responsible step in the national interest. But to Rahul Gandhi Ji and his coterie, everything appears as politics and mockery,” Santosh said.“Rahul Gandhi himself remains frequently occupied with foreign travel. Naturally, talk of ‘restraint’ and a ‘Swadeshi mindset’ would make such individuals feel uncomfortable. Perhaps this explains his visible unease and outcry,” he added.
