‘Uneasy atmosphere’: Opun reacts to PM Modi’s ‘sudden’ call for austerity; Pawar, Thackeray raise red flags

New Delhi: Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for austerity measures amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has called for an all-party meeting, citing the potential economic impact on the country.Pawar posted on X, “Against the backdrop of instability and war in the Middle East, Prime Minister Modi announced some news two days ago that is likely to have a profound impact on the country’s economy.He added that the sudden call had caused unease among ordinary citizens, businesses, industries and investors.Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent speech urging citizens to adopt austerity measures in light of the crisis in the Middle East has sparked a political debate. He called on people to use gasoline and diesel sparingly, adopt a work-from-home policy, use public transportation, postpone the purchase of discretionary gold, reduce consumption of cooking oil and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers.Reacting to PM Modi’s call, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray also questioned why similar restraint was not exercised during the massive campaign.Thackeray wrote in a post on“The Prime Minister himself will embark on another multi-country tour starting on May 15. First cancel these trips and then preach austerity,” he added.