Giriraj Singh buys EV after PM Modi's appeal to cut fuel use
Synopsis
Union Minister Giriraj Singh bought a new electric vehicle after PM Modi urged Indians to cut fuel use amid the US-Iran conflict — a symbolic gesture that has drawn both praise and sharp political fire, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi calling the appeal itself proof of government failure.
Key Takeaways
Giriraj Singh , Union Textile Minister and Begusarai MP, purchased a new electric vehicle following PM Modi 's appeal to reduce petrol and diesel consumption.
Singh shared his EV adoption on X , calling it "a big step towards a bright future." PM Modi had urged citizens to work from home, use public transport, limit gold purchases, reduce chemical fertiliser use, and prefer domestic tourism amid global uncertainties linked to the US-Iran conflict .
Former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has reportedly been using an EV for city travel in Patna for a long time.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the appeal, calling it "proof of the failure of the government" rather than genuine advice.
Union Textile Minister and Begusarai Lok Sabha MP Giriraj Singh has purchased a brand-new electric vehicle (EV), responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to citizens to reduce petrol and diesel consumption amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Singh was spotted travelling in the new EV to Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna before boarding a flight.
Singh's EV Move and What He Said
Sharing the development on social media platform X, Singh wrote:
Point of View
But optics alone do not drive adoption. India's EV infrastructure — charging networks, grid reliability, affordability — remains uneven, particularly outside metro corridors. Rahul Gandhi's counter-framing is politically sharp: by casting Modi's conservation appeal as an admission of economic stress rather than patriotic duty, the Congress is attempting to flip the narrative. The more substantive question both sides are avoiding is whether voluntary austerity appeals, however symbolically powerful, can substitute for structural policy — fuel pricing reform, faster EV subsidy expansion, and public transport investment — in a country where petrol dependency is still a daily economic reality for hundreds of millions.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Giriraj Singh buy an electric vehicle?
Giriraj Singh purchased a new electric vehicle in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to reduce petrol and diesel consumption amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Singh described the move on X as a step toward environmental protection and modern progress.
What did PM Modi ask citizens to do amid the US-Iran conflict?
PM Modi urged citizens to work from home where possible, reduce petrol and diesel usage, limit gold purchases, use public transport such as buses and Metro rail, promote indigenous products, prefer domestic tourism over foreign travel, and reduce excessive use of chemical fertilisers. The appeals were widely viewed as being in the national interest given global economic uncertainties.
What was Rahul Gandhi's reaction to PM Modi's appeal?
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the appeal, posting on social media that Modi's suggestions — including not buying gold, not travelling abroad, and burning less petrol — were "not advice but a proof of the failure of the government." He framed the appeal as evidence of policy shortcomings rather than patriotic guidance.
Has any other Bihar leader adopted an EV?
Former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has reportedly been using an electric vehicle for city travel in Patna for a long time. He reportedly switches to an SUV only for long-distance road journeys outside the city.
What is the broader significance of Singh's EV purchase?
The move is seen as a symbolic gesture aimed at encouraging citizens — particularly Singh's supporters — to adopt energy-saving practices and shift towards electric mobility. It aligns with the Centre's broader push for EV adoption amid rising global fuel price volatility.
