Media Release
Udupi, May 12: Udupi Block Congress Committee president Ramesh Kanchan has strongly criticized prime minister Narendra Modi for advising people not to travel abroad for a year, to use petrol and diesel sparingly, and to avoid buying gold, while he himself is set to embark on a five-nation foreign tour from May 15.
Ramesh Kanchan stated that Modi often boasts that India has become self-reliant in every aspect after his government came to power and claims that previous governments contributed nothing to the nation. However, citing war as an excuse and asking citizens to limit the use of petrol, diesel, and gas only reflects the failures of his administration. He questioned whether the prime minister, who advises citizens on how to live, should not first lead by example.
Ramesh Kanchan further alleged that PM Narendra Modi has forgotten that it is the prime minister himself who uses thousands of vehicles during roadshows, consuming enormous amounts of petrol and diesel. According to Ramesh Kanchan, whenever problems arise, PM escapes through frequent foreign tours, reportedly traveling abroad 10 times a year. He claimed that in the last 12 years, the country has been brought to such a state that people are now being told what they should buy, what they should not buy, where they should go, and where they should not go.
Recalling the Covid pandemic period, Ramesh Kanchan said the PM had earlier asked people to beat plates and use mobile flashlights, thereby misleading the public, and is now once again calling upon citizens to make sacrifices. He noted that the Prime Minister has advised people not to buy gold, avoid foreign travel, reduce petrol usage, cut down on fertilizers and edible oil consumption, travel by metro, and work from home.
Ramesh Kanchan stated that the PM's own words are proof that he lacks the capability to lead the country effectively. He also questioned why the prime minister, who recently came to Karnataka and criticized the Congress government’s guarantee schemes with such “childish remarks,” announced a free bus travel guarantee in West Bengal just two days after assuming power there. He asked what response Karnataka BJP leaders have regarding this contradiction.
Ramesh Kanchan further alleged that the soaring prices of petrol, diesel, cooking gas, and edible oil, which have made daily life difficult for ordinary citizens, are the result of the country’s flawed foreign policy. He said the people of the country now understand this reality. Referring to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, he claimed India is struggling amid the crisis. Instead of offering proper solutions, the prime minister is merely giving sermons, which he described as shameful.
Ramesh Kanchan questioned whether BJP MPs and MLAs elected from Karnataka lack the courage to question this poor governance. He further criticized the prime minister and BJP supporters for blaming Jawaharlal Nehru, Manmohan Singh, and the Congress party for every failure, and asked whom they would blame for PM Narendra Modi’s own advice asking citizens not to buy gold, avoid foreign travel, reduce petrol consumption, limit fertilizers and edible oil use, travel by metro, and work from home.