SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh has launched a sharp verbal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the PM’s recent appeals regarding domestic consumption. During an informal conversation with the media in Shimla, the state minister raised serious questions about the Prime Minister’s working style and the central government’s economic priorities.
The controversy erupted after Prime Minister Modi, citing the volatile situation in West Asia, urged the Indian public to refrain from purchasing gold for the next year and to minimize the use of petrol and diesel. The Prime Minister suggested these measures were necessary to stabilize the national economy amidst global uncertainty.
Minister Anirudh Singh termed the Prime Minister’s advice as “anti-people,” alleging that the central government has failed to grasp the basic needs of the common man. He further accused the Prime Minister of waking up each morning with a mindset focused on how to further impoverish and exploit the poor. The Minister remarked that “chitchatting” or “telling stories” on television would not bring any real relief to the citizens.
Defense of Middle-Class Savings
Responding specifically to the appeal to stop gold purchases, Singh emphasized the cultural and economic significance of the metal in India. He noted that people invest their hard-earned savings in gold primarily for their children’s weddings and as a secure long-term investment for the middle class.
The Minister argued that advising people against such purchases is illogical. According to the Cabinet Minister, the Modi government is using these appeals as a tactic to divert public attention from fundamental economic failures.
Economic Indicators and Rupee Devaluation
Singh hit out at the Centre over the weakening of the Indian Rupee against the US Dollar. He pointed out that the rupee’s value has plummeted from ₹55 to ₹95 per dollar. He also challenged the government’s narrative on fuel prices, stating that crude oil in the international market has not become expensive enough to justify the heavy burden being placed on the Indian public through domestic price hikes. He claimed the Prime Minister remains silent on these genuine economic hurdles.
GST Dues and State Finances
The verbal spat also touched upon the Prime Minister’s recent remarks in Telangana, where he alleged that the Congress-led Himachal government was struggling to pay its employees. Anirudh Singh countered by questioning the Prime Minister’s concern for the state’s welfare.
“If the Prime Minister is truly worried about the people and employees of Himachal, why does he not immediately release the state’s pending GST dues?” Singh asked. He alleged that the Prime Minister personally obstructs the state’s developmental work and then uses public platforms to criticize the administration.
Controversy Over Covid-19 Management
In a highly critical turn, the Minister also revisited the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. He recalled the period when citizens were struggling with a lack of oxygen and medical care, contrasting it with the Prime Minister’s appeal to “clang utensils” (thali bajana). Singh questioned whether such symbolic acts saved any lives during the crisis.
Furthermore, the Minister expressed skepticism regarding the safety of Covid vaccines. He claimed that individuals who received the vaccine are now facing heart attacks and various new ailments. Singh concluded by stating that the current power structure is focused on misleading the public and exploiting the poor rather than upholding the dignity of constitutional offices.
