Opposition parties on Friday mounted a sharp attack on the Centre afterpetrol and diesel priceswere increased by around Rs 3 per litre acrossmajor cities. The parties accused the Narendra Modi government of burdening the ordinary citizens soon after elections.
Leading the opposition charge, the Congress called Prime Minister Narendra Modi “Inflation Man” and alleged that the government had begun “recovering money from the public” after the polls. In a post on X, the Congress said, “‘Inflation Man’ Modi has once again cracked the whip on the public today,” claiming that petrol and diesel prices had been raised by Rs 3 each while CNG rates had also gone up by Rs 2. “Elections are over, Modi’s recovery drive has begun,” the party added.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kirti Azad also attacked the BJP, saying, “People voted for the BJP and this is what they got in return... petrol and diesel prices have been increased. They are looting the public and doing nothing else.”
TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien said the Centre first “loots your vote” and then “kicks you where it hurts.”
DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai accused the Centre of failing to pass on benefits when global crude oil prices had declined. “When crude oil prices are soaring decrease the duty,” he wrote, urging the government to cut excise duties instead of increasing retail fuel prices.
The latest revision pushedpetrol pricesinDelhito Rs 97.77 per litre, an increase of Rs 3. Petrol prices rose to Rs 108.74 inKolkata, Rs 106.68 inMumbaiand Rs 103.67 inChennai.Diesel priceswere also revised upward, reaching Rs 90.67 inDelhi, Rs 95.13 inKolkata, Rs 93.14 inMumbaiand Rs 95.25 inChennai.
The fuel price hikes come just weeks after commercial LPG cylinder prices were increased, adding to concerns over inflation and rising household expenses. The cumulative increase in fuel and cooking gas costs is expected to impact transportation and essential commodity prices.
Amid the backlash, BJP leaders defended the move, citing global instability and mounting losses faced by oil marketing companies.
West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh said the world had been witnessing wars and multiple international crises over the last three years, but Prime Minister Modi had ensured that Indians were largely shielded from severe impact. He said oil companies had suffered “losses worth thousands of crores” and argued that the increase was kept to the “bare minimum necessary.”
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