Govt must first tell its ministers to use buses, says Cong

Panaji: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) on Tuesday accused BJP govt of hypocrisy over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal urging citizens to reduce gold purchases, cut foreign travel and conserve fuel.

Goa Congress president Amit Patkar said BJP ministers should first practise austerity before advising citizens to tighten spending.

“The Prime Minister is now telling people to stop buying gold, reduce travel and save fuel. Tomorrow he will say milk has become expensive, so drink black tea,” Patkar said, criticising Centre over rising prices and economic management.

Patkar also targeted chief minister Pramod Sawant, alleging contradiction between the PM’s message and BJP’s political activities.

“If the chief minister wants people to follow Modi’s advice, he and his ministers should first start travelling by public transport,” he said, referring to Sawant’s visit to Assam for a BJP swearing-in ceremony a day after endorsing the PM’s remarks.

He further criticised what he described as extravagant swearing-in ceremonies held in BJP-ruled states, saying govt should curb public expenditure on events before asking citizens to make sacrifices.

GPCC media and communication department chairman Amarnath Panjikar also questioned expenditure on govt-backed events, including Dabolim Musical Waves 2026, alleging that BJP was promoting austerity for citizens while indulging in extravagance at public expense.