Raj Thackeray criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the weakening value of the Indian rupee and accused the Central government of mishandling the economy and foreign policy. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief said the country’s economic situation had worsened due to poor international relations and inconsistent policy decisions.

Speaking at a public gathering, Thackeray claimed India’s traditional oil trade relationship with Iran had weakened under the current government. He alleged that India earlier benefited from purchasing crude oil from Iran using rupee-based transactions, which helped protect the domestic currency and reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

Thackeray said the steady fall of the rupee reflected deeper economic concerns and criticised the Centre for failing to maintain financial stability. Opposition leaders across parties have recently targeted the government over the rupee’s decline against the US dollar, arguing that inflation and rising import costs are affecting ordinary citizens. 

The MNS leader also accused the government of diverting public attention from economic issues through political campaigns and media narratives. According to him, increasing debt, inflationary pressure and rising living costs are creating difficulties for common people.

During his speech, Thackeray said India should have maintained stronger diplomatic support for Iran, which he described as a long-time strategic partner. He argued that weakening ties with countries supplying affordable crude oil had indirectly impacted India’s economy and currency value.

He further alleged that foreign policy decisions taken under the Modi government had reduced India’s economic flexibility in international trade.

Thackeray’s remarks come amid wider criticism from opposition leaders over inflation, fuel prices and the falling rupee. Several opposition parties have recently questioned the Centre’s economic management and accused the government of failing to address public concerns related to unemployment and rising costs.

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