Hyderabad Rally: PM Modi urges fuel savings, forex conservation amid West Asia conflict impact

Emphasising that the Centre is trying to shield people from the adverse impact of the conflict in West Asia, PM Narendra Modi on Sunday called for judicious use of fuel, postponement of gold purchases and foreign travel, among other measures, to strengthen the economy. Addressing a rally organised by the Telangana BJP here, he suggested reducing petrol and diesel consumption, using metro rail services in cities, carpooling, increased use of electric vehicles (EVs), utilising railway services for parcel movement, and working from home to conserve foreign exchange amid the crisis in West Asia. Stressing the need to save foreign exchange due to the crisis, Modi called for postponing the purchase of gold and foreign travel for one year. ''We have to save foreign exchange by any means,'' he said, adding that due to the West Asia conflict, prices of petrol and fertilisers had increased significantly. When there is pressure on the supply chain, difficulties increase despite various government measures to address the situation, he said. ''That's why, during a global crisis, keeping the country above all else, we have to take resolutions,'' he added. ''We got into work-from-home, virtual meetings, video conferencing, and many other methods during Covid-19. We got habituated to them. The need of the hour is to resume those methods,'' Modi said. He called for reducing the consumption of edible oil, lowering the use of chemical fertilisers, promoting natural farming and Swadeshi products to save foreign exchange and make the country self-reliant. Stating that the BJP had secured a massive majority in the recently held Assembly polls in West Bengal, Modi said he saw similar enthusiasm in Telangana. He said that the people of Telangana also want change. ''People of West Bengal defeated the dictatorial model, and that is why celebrations are going on across the country,'' he said. When he raised the slogan 'Agli baar' (next time), the crowd responded with ''BJP sarkar'' (government). Recalling Telangana's early contribution to his party, Modi said the state gave one MP when the BJP had only two MPs. In a sharp attack on Congress, he said its priority is not serving the people but promoting divisive and hateful politics. ''Congress has become more Left than the Left, meaning it has become strongly Maoist. It is more 'Muslim League-like' than the Muslim League,'' he said. People now refer to Congress as ''MMC-Muslim League, Maoist, Congress,'' Modi claimed. He said that when Maoism is on its last breath in the country, Congress and Left parties are trying to protect it. ''During the last 11-12 years, the royal family of Congress has continuously tried to ensure that action is not taken against Maoist terror,'' he said. Modi added that had the Telangana police been given a free hand, Maoist violence would have been eliminated earlier in coordination with the Centre's policies. He alleged that Congress makes lofty promises to come to power only to forget them later. During his visit to Hyderabad, the PM inaugurated Sindhu Hospital. He said the hospital is a laudable effort to improve healthcare infrastructure in the city and surrounding areas. In a post on X, Modi also appreciated the hospital team's emphasis on integrating the latest technology and innovation.

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