Deve Gowda, Karandlaje back Modi's austerity call amid global tensions
Key Takeaways
Two senior political figures — former PM Deve Gowda and Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje — have gone on record defending Modi's austerity call, anchoring it in hard numbers: 70% edible oil import dependence and heavy reliance on petroleum imports.
The defence signals a coordinated political push to reframe Modi's appeal as economic prudence, not austerity for its own sake.
Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje on Monday defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for restrained consumption and austerity measures, citing ongoing global conflicts, rising international prices, and the need to protect India's foreign exchange reserves. Both leaders spoke in Bengaluru, lending political weight to a call that has drawn mixed reactions across the country.
Deve Gowda's Defence of Modi's Appeal
Speaking in Bengaluru, Deve Gowda said Prime Minister Modi had urged 150 crore Indians to use resources carefully in light of global tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
