Kejriwal seeks transparency on economic situation

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said the Centre should tell the country the truth about the state of the economy, arguing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to citizens to curb non-essential spending indicated that the situation is “very bad“ and is likely to “worsen“. 

Referring to the Prime Minister’s Sunday appeal asking people to avoid buying gold unnecessarily for a year and to cut down on foreign travel, Mr. Kejriwal said the burden of any economic distress should not fall only on the middle class. 

“Why should only the middle class make sacrifices? Why will Gautam Adani not sacrifice? Why will Ministers not sacrifice? Why will officers not sacrifice? Why will the Prime Minister not sacrifice?” he asked, adding that the country belongs to all 140 crore people. 

He said the Centre’s repeated calls to reduce fuel consumption, avoid foreign goods, limit gold purchases, use public transport and work from home suggested that the economy was headed for a deep crisis. 

“Since 1950, the country has faced wars and recessions, but never before has a Prime Minister asked people to take such harsh measures,” he said. 

Mr. Kejriwal said citizens were willing to make sacrifices, but wanted clarity on the economic situation and the reasons behind the government’s appeals. 

“We are ready to do whatever is needed for the country. But tell us why these steps are being taken and where exactly the economy stands,” he said.