Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for advising Indians to not buy jewellery for the next one year and reduce fuel consumption, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday (May 11) urged Mr. Modi to reveal who was responsible for the price rise in fuel and gold.

“The Prime Minister, who has advised people not to buy gold and reduce fuel consumption, should also explain why the prices have risen and who is responsible for it,” the Deputy Chief Minister told presspersons here. “Can you ask people celebrating weddings not to buy gold? He gives advice. During COVID-19, he asked people to light lamps and clap. Did that solve problems? During hardship or happiness, people take loans against gold.”

On the use of public transport, Mr. Shivakumar said that the Prime Minister should first ask Union government officials to travel by public transport. “Let him instruct his own Cabinet Ministers in this regard. We must first practise what we preach before sending a message to the common people. Let the sacrifice first begin with Central Ministers, Union government officials, officials in BJP-governed States, their party legislators, leaders, and workers. Then let them advise others to sacrifice,” he remarked.