Bengaluru, May 13 (IANS) Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka on Wednesday said that people were responding positively to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel savings and other related measures aimed at reducing the use of petroleum products and avoiding unnecessary gold purchases.

Speaking to reporters at the BJP state office, Jagannath Bhavan, in Bengaluru, Ashoka said he and his family were also following the Prime Minister’s call for restraint in spending and consumption.

“We are reducing the use of petrol and diesel in our vehicles by 30 per cent to 50 per cent. Escort vehicles will be used only in unavoidable situations,” he said.

Ashoka stated that the ongoing global conflict had created difficult circumstances across the world and added that the Prime Minister’s appeal was being well received by the public.

Responding to a question, he said he had also instructed his family members to reduce the use of cooking oil at home.

He further said that Union ministers and officials had already begun responding to the Prime Minister’s appeal by opting for public transport systems such as the Metro.

BJP MLC and Chief Whip of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council N. Ravikumar urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to stop opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s suggestions made in the interest of the country.

Speaking to reporters, Ravikumar said several companies had begun responding positively to the Prime Minister’s appeal by considering work-from-home arrangements for three days a week.

He also criticised senior Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad, describing his remarks as “immature” and “irresponsible”.

“An experienced politician like Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad is making immature and extremely light comments. There is no point in reacting to his statements,” he said.

Ravikumar said Prime Minister Modi had appealed to people to reduce the consumption of petroleum products and cooking gas, minimise gold purchases for a year unless absolutely necessary, and use public transport systems.

“The intention is not to trouble people. Due to the ongoing war, petroleum products and gas supplies are being affected, and the conflict is not ending despite discussions,” he said.

He added that people, as well as governments, were responding positively to the Prime Minister’s call.

“Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party are opposing it only because they have a habit of criticising and opposing the Centre,” he alleged.

Ravikumar said the Prime Minister’s appeal should be welcomed as it was aimed at protecting the country’s economy, employment opportunities and foreign exchange reserves.

“People should support this call,” he urged.

Referring to an incident in Ankola, Ravikumar alleged that BJP worker Nagaraj Nayak was being harassed and demanded action against Gopalakrishna Nayak for allegedly attempting to assault him.

“Nagaraj Nayak has been staging a dharna and satyagraha for the past one week,” he said, while demanding police protection for the BJP worker.

–IANS

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