A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to adopt austerity measures, conserve fuel and cut avoidable expenditure amid the economic uncertainty triggered by the West Asia conflict, Opposition parties on Monday accused the Centre of pushing the burden of its “economic failures” onto ordinary people.The BJP, however, defended Modi saying his appeal for austerity was in the larger national interest and should be followed by everyone. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said the PM’s appeal urging people to reduce fuel consumption, avoid unnecessary purchases and work from home was not advice, but an “admission of failure”.Claiming that the Modi government had pushed the economy into a crisis after 12 years in office, Rahul said citizens were now being told what to buy, where to travel and how to spend because the government had failed to manage the economy.He alleged that the Centre was repeatedly shifting responsibility onto the public to avoid accountability.Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also attacked the government, saying the Congress had been warning since the outbreak of the West Asia conflict in February about the likely impact on the Indian economy, including rising fuel prices, pressure on the rupee, fertiliser shortage, food security concerns and stress on MSMEs.Kharge questioned why the PM continued with election campaigning and roadshows while the economic situation was worsening. He said after the elections, the government had suddenly started advising people to cut spending and conserve resources instead of accepting responsibility for the economic distress.Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh said the PM’s remarks indicated that the economic situation was “far more serious” than what the government had publicly acknowledged so far.Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the government had suddenly begun speaking of “crisis” only after elections ended.Questioning the PM’s appeal asking people not to buy gold and cut fuel usage, Yadav asked whether BJP leaders would themselves stop using chartered flights, luxury convoys and expensive election campaigns. He alleged that the government’s messaging could trigger panic in markets and deepen fears of inflation and recession.AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also criticised the PM, alleging that citizens were being asked to bear the burden of inflation and rising prices in the name of patriotism, while the ruling establishment continued with large rallies.NCP (SP) spokesperson Clyde Crasto said the BJP should “practise what it preaches” before advising citizens to reduce consumption.“The PM has advised citizens to cut back on travel and even on purchasing gold. Is this the harbinger of an economic emergency? Has the country become mired in a severe economic crisis?” said AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal.