New Delhi

The Indian National Congress on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal for austerity measures may indicate that difficult economic decisions could be imminent, and claimed that the ground-level economic situation is far removed from what it called the government’s “propaganda.”

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the prime minister’s “unexpected pleas” made during a rally in Hyderabad on Sunday suggest that the economic situation may be more serious than official figures indicate.

In a post on X, Ramesh said the remarks could signal the possibility of tougher austerity measures, including a potential increase in fuel prices, with an atmosphere being created to make such steps more acceptable.

He also alleged that the economic reality on the ground—reflected in stagnant real wages, rising household debt and weak job-creating private investment—stands in sharp contrast to the government’s claims.

The Congress had also criticised Modi on Sunday over his appeal to citizens to conserve petroleum products, accusing the government of failing to ensure India’s energy security amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.

Addressing a BJP rally in Hyderabad, Modi had urged citizens to reduce petrol and diesel consumption, use metro rail services, carpool, adopt electric vehicles, utilise railway logistics, and resume work-from-home practices to help conserve foreign exchange.

The prime minister also appealed for postponing purchases of gold and foreign travel for one year, stressing the need to save foreign exchange amid disruptions caused by the conflict in West Asia.

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He further called for reduced edible oil consumption, lower use of chemical fertilisers, promotion of natural farming and support for swadeshi products to strengthen economic resilience and self-reliance.