India, May 13 -- Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for austerity in the face of the ongoing war in West Asia, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar urged the PM to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the crisis, while MNS chief Raj Thackeray criticised the PM asking why citizens must bear the burden of the government's mistakes.

On Sunday, PM Modi appealed to citizens to stop buying gold, avoid foreign travel unless necessary, reduce petrol and diesel use by adopting work-from-home options, and use electric vehicles, as large foreign exchange reserves are spent on buying gold and petroleum products.

Stating that the PM's sudden announcement has created fear and confusion among citizens, the business sector and investors, Paw...