Modi’s appeal not to buy gold and avoid foreign tours reflects inability to handle crisis: Telangana CM

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to people to desist from buying gold and avoiding foreign vacations as a complete failure of the Modi-led Central government.

“Such statements reflected the ‘complete failure’ of the Modi government. Telling people not to buy gold or travel by air is nothing but an admission of the Centre’s inability to manage the situation and its policies,” he remarked.

In an informal chat with reporters at his residence on Monday (May 11, 2026), he accused the Centre of failing in foreign policy and attempting to divert public attention from rising economic hardships. His reaction was in response to Mr. Modi’s appeal asking citizens to avoid unnecessary expenditure, including buying gold and air travel, during his visit to Telangana on Sunday.

Mr. Reddy alleged that the BJP-led Union government had pushed the country into crisis due to “inexperience and arrogance.” He said the Centre lacked a clear foreign policy and criticised its handling of international affairs. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had been warning the government about these issues from the beginning, he said.

Convene all-party meeting

Mr. Reddy said the Centre should take suggestions from Opposition parties and convene an all-party meeting to discuss the prevailing situation. “The government has no clear policy direction. Instead of addressing the real issues, they are trying to cover up their failures through public appeals,” he said, terming the move “irresponsible.”

In a sarcastic remark aimed at the BJP, the Chief Minister compared the party’s election strategies to a “Gemini Circus”, alleging that the BJP changes tactics from State to State for political gains.

He also criticised the Centre excess fertiliser distribution,

Referring to the BJP’s electoral performance in southern States, he pointed out that the party won only three seats in Kerala and two in Tamil Nadu, claiming that the BJP was relying on other methods to expand politically.

SIR being used selectively: Revanth

Mr. Reddy further alleged that the BJP was using the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as a political weapon. He claimed that nearly 90 lakh votes were removed in West Bengal and alleged that the exercise was being used selectively in States where the BJP aimed to gain political advantage.

“Wherever the BJP wants to win elections, the SIR process is being implemented aggressively,” he alleged. However, in Kerala, it was not successful in pushing SIR due to the strong presence of the Congress party. “BJP is succeeding only in the States where the Congress was not strong.”