Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday accused the Union government of mishandling the economic situation arising from the ongoing West Asia conflict, alleging that it is pushing the country towards an “undeclared lockdown-like situation” through its austerity-related appeals and policy communication.

Speaking on the sidelines of a development project launch in Sangrur, Mann said the Centre is using the global crisis as a cover for what he described as failures in foreign and economic policy. He claimed that the Union government did not anticipate the severity of the geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region, which he said has contributed to “chaos” in the country’s economic environment.

The Chief Minister further alleged that no other country affected by the global situation has asked citizens to reduce consumption of essentials such as fuel and gold, questioning the Centre’s advisories and demanding clarity on the status of India’s reserves. He said the Prime Minister’s messaging on austerity appears inconsistent with the broader governance approach and accused the leadership of projecting contradictions in its public stance.

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Mann also criticised India’s foreign policy direction, saying that the country’s international positioning has not delivered benefits to ordinary citizens. He remarked that repeated foreign visits by the Prime Minister have largely benefited select industrial interests rather than the wider public, and reiterated that the government has not adequately briefed Parliament or the public on outcomes of such engagements.

He warned that rising fuel prices could further strain households in the coming days and accused the Centre of adopting an “anti-people mindset.” Mann argued that the government has reacted late to global developments and is now imposing the burden of adjustment on citizens through price pressures and advisory measures.

Meanwhile, Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar defended the Centre’s handling of fertiliser and fuel supply chains, stating that despite global price pressures triggered by the Gulf conflict, India continues to ensure adequate fertiliser availability to farmers through substantial subsidies. He highlighted that urea and DAP fertilisers are being heavily subsidised, with benefits amounting to thousands of rupees per acre for farmers.

Jakhar also compared international fuel price trends to argue that India’s increases have been relatively lower than several other countries. Separately, Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring criticised Jakhar’s remarks, stating that fertiliser subsidies are long-standing policy measures and not exclusive achievements of the current government, while also questioning contradictory messaging on fertiliser usage.

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