Bengaluru, May 12 (IANS) Senior BJP leader R. Ashoka on Tuesday accused Congress leaders of displaying “economic ignorance and blind opposition” by criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent austerity appeal to citizens and asked them to visit their own party’s history.

The Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Assembly also shared a news clipping of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi appealing to citizens not to buy gold and calling for national discipline in 1967.

He further shared a video clipping of former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram making a similar appeal in 2013.

In a statement, Ashoka said Congress leaders had made it a “daily routine” to oppose every move made by Prime Minister Modi without understanding history or economic management.

“Today’s Congress leaders neither understand history nor have any knowledge of economic administration. Opposing every step taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become their daily activity,” he said.

Defending PM Modi’s call for restraint and economic discipline in view of the global situation, Ashoka said Congress leaders were mocking suggestions made in national interest and urged them to revisit their own party’s history.

Referring to past Congress governments, Ashoka said late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had appealed to citizens in 1967 not to buy gold in order to maintain economic discipline in the country.

He also recalled that in 2013, during the Congress-led UPA government, then Finance Minister P. Chidambaram had repeatedly urged people to reduce their obsession with gold purchases to address the Current Account Deficit (CAD).

Ashoka alleged that Congress viewed economic appeals made during the tenures of Indira Gandhi or Sonia Gandhi as sound economic policy, but criticised similar appeals when made by Modi in national interest.

“If Congress governments made such appeals during the eras of PM Indira Gandhi or Sonia Gandhi, it was termed economic policy. But when PM Modi makes a similar appeal in the national interest, Congress leaders portray it as wrong. This reflects their double standards,” he said.

The BJP leader further stated that Congress leaders should first learn the basics of economics before making politically motivated comments on the country’s economy.

“Do not sacrifice the nation’s interests merely in the eagerness to oppose Modi,” Ashoka added.

It can be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi on last Sunday called upon citizens to remain united and patient amid global uncertainties, stating that the ongoing crisis in West Asia was impacting the entire world, including India.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday launched a sharp attack on PM Narendra Modi over his speech in Bengaluru, questioning whether he had spoken as the Prime Minister, the BJP state President, or the Leader of the Opposition in the state.

–IANS

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