'PM says don't go abroad, but himself flies in planes worth thousands of crores': Rahul Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent call to mitigate the impact of the ongoing global energy crisis by cutting fuel use, postponing foreign travel and avoiding gold purchases, accusing him of burdening common citizens while continuing expensive foreign visits himself.

Addressing a 'Bahujan Swabhiman Sabha' in Raebareli, Gandhi referred to PM Modi's recent appeal made during his Secunderabad visit and alleged that inflation and economic distress would sharply worsen in the coming months.



"PM Narendra Modi says don't go abroad, don't buy gold, buy electric vehicles. In the coming times, farmers won't have fertiliser. Watch where inflation goes in a few months, where the prices of petrol, diesel, oil, gas, pulses, and rice go. The Prime Minister openly says don't buy gold, don't go abroad, and he himself goes abroad in planes worth thousands of crores of rupees," Gandhi said.



His remarks came as PM Modi embarked on a five-nation diplomatic tour that included Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, the UAE and Italy.

The Congress leader also accused the government of favouring industrialists and alleged that rising fuel prices were linked to corporate interests.

"Before the elections, it was said that there is no shortage of petrol or gas. Petrol prices will not increase. Today, when petrol prices are rising, Ambani is exporting petrol from India to abroad. Ambani buys petrol from Russia and sells it outside, and with that money, they fund PM Narendra Modi. This is the truth," he alleged.

Gandhi further claimed that the country was heading towards a major economic crisis and blamed PM Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and the RSS for weakening the Constitution and economic system.

"PM Narendra Modi has sold off India's economic system. He has handed over the economic system of India to Ambani, Adani and America. Now an economic storm is coming, and PM Narendra Modi and the government of India will not be able to save you," he said.



"They will cry and say it's not my fault. I am telling you, the fault lies only with PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and RSS because they have destroyed it (the Constitution)," Gandhi added.

Warning of rising inflation and supply shortages, Gandhi said, "The coming times are going to be very difficult. There will be such inflation as the country has never seen before."

"The prices of everything will rise, farmers will be distressed because there will be a shortage of fertilizer in the country. The supply of oil and gas will stop," he said.

"But the impact of this economic storm will not affect Adani-Ambani and Narendra Modi, because they will remain seated in their palaces. If anyone gets hit by this economic storm, it will be the common people of the country," Gandhi added.