Congress slams PM Modi’s West Asia Lok Sabha speech, flags LPG concerns

The Congress on Monday (March 23) lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech in the Lok Sabha over the West Asia conflict for not condemning US-Israeli strikes and instead resorting to “self-boasts” and “cowardice”. The development comes within hours of the Prime Minister’s speech in the Lower House, wherein he described the current situation as “worrisome” but assured that the government was taking all steps to safeguard India’s interests.

Ramesh’s ‘self-boasts’ jibe at PM

Taking to X, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also accused PM Modi of exaggerating the prospects of India’s economic growth by resorting to “bluster” and accused him of ignoring his own former Chief Economic Advisor, who went on record warning that India’s economic growth.

Also Read: PM Modi on West Asia conflict: Highlights of his Lok Sabha speech

“The Prime Minister’s uncharacteristically short speech in the Lok Sabha today was, as usual, a master class in self-boasts, cowardice, and partisan dialogue-baazi,” stated Ramesh.

“Not a single word was uttered in condemnation of the continued US-Israeli air assaults on Iran. Iran’s attack on the Gulf countries and the Strait of Hormuz is, to be sure, completely unacceptable - but so is the relentless bombing of Iran with the objective of regime change and state collapse,” he added.

Covid response criticism resurfaces

Taking pot shots at the PM’s mention of the Covid-19 pandemic in his speech, Ramesh said his government’s response to the crisis was “uniquely catastrophic.”

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“The nation cannot forget the deeply depressing scenes which became all too normal then - lakhs of migrants walking barefoot to their homes, thousands dying from oxygen shortages, and millions left unemployed. We can only hope there is more preparedness this time,” he added.

Raises inflation, LPG concerns

Earlier, the Congress urged the Prime Minister to inform the people what steps the government was taking to tackle the shortage of LPG and the increasing inflation in the country.

Also Read: Centre invokes Essential Commodities Act to secure LPG, LNG amid West Asia crisis

Within hours of the Prime Minister’s speech in the Lok Sabha on the West Asian conflict, the opposition party stated that India lead the peace talks in West Asia.

Priyanka Gandhi says PM delayed response

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said Prime Minister Modi should have spoken earlier.

“We don’t have any expectations. I want to hear what he has to say. There are many issues. The fallout of the war on our country is huge… LPG and many other issues. He should have spoken much earlier,” she told reporters in the Parliament House complex.

Manish Tiwari warns of supply disruptions

Congress MP Manish Tiwari warned that the escalating hostilities in West Asia could disrupt global supply chains and impact essential commodities.

“There has been an escalation since Sunday to an unprecedented level. Iranians have ostensibly attempted to hit the Israeli nuclear research reactor. President (Donald) Trump has issued a warning which is going to expire this evening. So, the conflict has perhaps entered its most dangerous phase,” Tiwari said.

Also Read: India calls West Asia crisis ‘testing time’, PM Modi speaks to Kuwait Prince

The Chandigarh MP also claimed that around 3,000 ships are currently idling in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, indicating a major disruption in maritime movement.

On Sunday evening, Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review the situation arising out of the West Asia conflict, and make a detailed assessment on the availability of critical items, including food, energy and fuel.

(With agency inputs)