New Delhi, 24 March (H.S.):

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modis Rajya Sabha statement on the West Asia crisis Tuesday calling his 20-minute address an attempt to obfuscate facts while India grapples with a deepening energy crunch.

On social media platform X Kharge accused Modis shifting diplomatic postures of eroding Indias strategic autonomy post-Israel visit with no parliamentary briefing on consequences questioning concrete steps to restore balance. He highlighted 37-40 Indian flagged ships including 1100 sailors and Rs 10000 crore cargo stranded in Hormuz strait despite talks with Iranian leadership wondering why safe passage eludes India unlike China Russia Japan.

Kharge challenged Modis claim of expanding energy imports from 27 to 41 countries demanding specifics on current LNG LPG crude suppliers and volumes. With 25 days since conflict onset he urged better crisis preparedness slamming Modis Covid comparison as insensitive given past suffering and the suggestion citizens fend for themselves again.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar