Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday attacked the Centre over the hike in petrol and diesel prices, alleging that the public was being forced to pay for the “mistakes” of the Narendra Modi government.
His remarks came after petrol and diesel prices were raised by Rs 3 per litre each, marking the first increase in more than four years, as state-run fuel retailers passed on part of the burden arising from soaring global crude oil prices triggered by the Iran conflict.
In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said, “Ghalti Modi sarkaar ki, keemat janta chukayegi (The public will pay the price for the Modi government's mistake).”
“The Rs 3 shock has already arrived, the rest of the ‘vasooli’ (recovery) will be done in instalments,” he said.
The Congress leader’s criticism also came amid a rise in CNG prices, with rates in cities such as Delhi and Mumbai increased by Rs 2 per kg.
According to industry sources, petrol in Delhi now costs Rs 97.77 per litre, up from Rs 94.77, while diesel prices have risen to Rs 90.67 per litre from Rs 87.67. Fuel rates vary across states depending on local value-added tax.
Also read: Opposition targets BJP over fuel price hike in Punjab
Global crude oil prices have climbed sharply since US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and Tehran’s retaliatory actions, which disrupted energy movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil supplies.
Despite the steep rise in crude prices in recent months, the Centre had earlier kept retail fuel prices unchanged, saying the move was aimed at shielding consumers from inflationary pressure. Opposition parties, however, alleged that the freeze was politically motivated due to elections in several states.
The latest hike came shortly after the completion of assembly elections, in which the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party expanded its footprint by winning three of the five states that went to the polls, including West Bengal.
Petrol and diesel prices are now at their highest levels since May 2022.
Follow us
