Polls done, BJP’s crisis talk begins: Akhilesh

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said now that the Assembly elections in five states have concluded, the BJP was talking about crisis and restrictions for the common man.“If restrictions are imposed, how will India realise the 5-trillion USD economy dream?” Akhilesh said, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on the need to save foreign exchange amid the war crisis.On Sunday, the PM called for ‘Covid-era measures’ to fight the Middle East crisis.He called upon people to stop buying gold for a year, cut foreign travel and adopt work-from-home mode to cut fuel usage and save foreign exchange. The PM underlined the need for collective participation to help India face global economic disruptions, supply chain challenges and rising prices caused by international conflicts.“The BJP is talking about a crisis. The real crisis is BJP itself,” Akhilesh said, adding that the slew of restrictions that the PM has suggested will take its toll on India achieving the 5-trillion USD economy target.“The value of the dollar has skyrocketed and that of our country’s rupee is headed further down,” the former UP CM said.“The BJP should not ask people not to buy gold but instead stop its corrupt leaders who are busy turning their black money into gold. The common man cannot afford to buy gold, which is being sold for Rs 1.5 lakh per 10 grams,” the SP chief said.Akhilesh questioned the timing of govt calling for the curbs as it came days after the Assembly election results of five states were announced.“What about the thousands of chartered flights that the BJP leadership undertook during the elections? Were these flights using water instead of jet fuel? Why did the BJP not opt for addressing public meetings through videoconferencing? Why are all the restrictions for the common people only?” Akhilesh asked.He said BJP’s call for restrictions has sent a wave of uncertainty and fear of economic slowdown across the trader-business community.“People are disheartened. It is govt’s responsibility to put its abundant resources to good use and bring the country out of the economic emergency-like situation,” he said.The SP chief said more than the international situation, the real reason behind the present crisis was a failed foreign policy where the country steered from its conventional, time-tested path to side with certain power pockets due to some specific reasons and pressures.“It is ironical that people of the country are being made to face the impact of this shift in the form of economic slowdown, unemployment and price rise,” Akhilesh said.