Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent austerity appeal, suggesting that the prime minister should first stop his foreign visits before asking others to cut costs. Speaking at a press conference in Chandigarh, Mann said, 'First PM Modi should stop his foreign visits. He travels abroad frequently, spending crores of rupees, and then asks the common man and states to practice austerity. This is hypocrisy.'
Attack on Rising Fuel Prices
The chief minister also targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government for increasing the prices of petrol and diesel. 'The central government has increased the prices of petrol and diesel multiple times in the last few months. This has put an additional burden on the common man and the state governments,' Mann said. He accused the Centre of ignoring the financial struggles of ordinary citizens while indulging in lavish expenditures.
Mann's Austerity Measures in Punjab
Mann highlighted his own government's efforts to cut unnecessary expenses, including reducing the number of official vehicles and banning first-class air travel for ministers. 'We have set an example by implementing austerity measures in Punjab. The central government should learn from us,' he added. The chief minister reiterated his demand for the Centre to roll back the fuel price hikes and reduce the tax burden on citizens.
The remarks come amid a growing political war of words between the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government and the BJP-led Centre over various issues, including fiscal policies and governance. Mann's comments are seen as a direct challenge to Modi's appeal for austerity in the wake of economic challenges.
