Economic storm on the way; PM not heeding own austerity appeal: Rahul in Raebareli

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that sometimes he tours Norway and sometimes Japan, all the while urging people back home to refrain from flying abroad, as he warned of an impending economic storm.Until the current government is changed, inflation will continue to go up, he said.Gandhi was addressing a function after the inauguration of a wedding hall in Bachhravan here.A war broke out between Iran and the United States.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that sometimes he tours Norway and sometimes Japan, all the while urging people back home to refrain from flying abroad, as he warned of an impending economic storm.

Until the current government is changed, inflation will continue to go up, he said.

Gandhi was addressing a function after the inauguration of a wedding hall in Bachhravan here.

''A war broke out between Iran and the United States. During the conflict, Iran seized control of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic location through which a significant portion of the world's oil passes, and declared that it would not loosen its hold. Consequently, the entire world is now rapidly beginning to face severe shortages of oil, fertilisers, and diesel,'' he said on the West Asia crisis.

Gandhi then opened a broadside to Modi.

He said Modi urges the citizens not to purchase gold, to switch to electric vehicles, and to refrain from travelling abroad, yet, immediately thereafter, he departs on a foreign tour.

''The sad thing is that a severe economic storm is coming, which no one can stop, which we have never experienced in our lives,'' he said.

''Who will get hurt, not Ambani or Adani. They will remain in their palaces, which have security from all four sides. It is the farmers of India, labourers, youth, the small businessmen and small industries, who generate employment (would get hurt),'' the leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.

Gandhi said he has been warning about an ''economic storm'' for some time, and it will deal the people a massive blow.

''Petrol prices are set to rise, and inflation will skyrocket. Yet, they say Rahul Gandhi has no understanding. Even today, we continue to tell them: Take action. Protect the public. Protect the farmers. But they have nothing to do. Sometimes they fly off to Norway, then to Japan, and then somewhere else. Why?'' he said.

''Day after day, we have been urging Narendra Modi to start protecting the workers and the small traders. If you fail to do so, the country is going to suffer immense loss. Yet, what does he do! He flies off to Norway. And in Norway, he says, brother! Help Adani, help Ambani,'' Gandhi said.

The Lok Sabha MP from Raebareli alleged that under the current central dispensation schemes like MGNREGA will gradually be dismantled.

''Adani and Ambani will grow richer. Your entire money will go in their pockets. Grand houses and palaces will be built. And the entire system will be made solely to siphon money out of your pockets. We stand firmly by your side. Wherever you wish, whenever you need me, you can call me,'' he said.

Gandhi said Modi, Amit Shah, and Union minister Nitin Gadkari attended a wedding in the family of Mukesh Ambani, but not him.

''Did Rahul Gandhi go? I want to attend your wedding. I want to come to your house, I do not want to go there,'' he told the gathering.