NEW DELHI, MAY 25 (PTI): The Congress on Monday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latest fuel hike, with Rahul Gandhi alleging that the “mehangai manav” has struck again and he has just one job of making promises during elections and attacking people’s pockets at other times.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also lashed out at the Modi government over the issue and asked who is benefitting from this “daily robbery”.
Petrol and diesel prices were raised by Rs 2.61-2.71 per litre on Monday, marking the fourth increase in less than two weeks as state-owned fuel retailers continued to pass on rising international oil prices to consumers.
In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said, “Mehangai manav Modi strikes again. He raises petrol and diesel prices in installments – ensuring that your pockets are quietly picked.”
“For months, I had been warning of an impending economic storm. But Modi Ji, true to form, was busy with elections at the time and the moment the elections ended, he hiked the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 8,” the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
And, this upward trend will only continue, he claimed.
“’Mehangai manav’ Modi has just one job: promises during elections, and attacking people’s pockets at other times,” Gandhi said.
Congress president Kharge alleged that the Modi government has looted Rs 43 lakh crore in the last 12 years.
“The Daily Assault of FUEL LOOT is not over yet! 4th hike in 10 days!! Petrol Rs 7.35/litre, Diesel Rs 7.53/litre. The Modi government has sprinkled petrol to burn the savings of common people,” he said in a post on X.
He pointed out that between 2004 and 2014, during the UPA rule, international crude oil prices increased by 175.34 per cent, while during the Modi government, “not even a single cent” of international crude oil prices have increased.
“Despite that, the Modi government has hiked the petrol prices from Rs 71.41 per litre in 2014 to Rs 102.12 per litre in 2026, a rise of 43.01 per cent, and diesel prices from Rs 56.71 per litre to Rs 95.20 per litre, an increase of 67.87 per cent,” Kharge said.
The Modi government has looted Rs 43 lakh crore in the last 12 years, making it a loot of Rs 1,000 everyday, he alleged.
“With the 4th time rise in Petrol and Diesel prices, today the shares of HPCL, BPCL and IOC rose by 5.8%, 4.44% and 3.90% respectively. Profit over People is BJP’s DNA!” the Congress chief said.
“Every fuel price hike is another blow to household budgets, and has a cascading effect on every aspect of the economy. From Farmers to MSMEs, every strata of the society bears the brunt of BJP’s LOOT,” he alleged.
“We repeat. Who is benefitting from this DAILY ROBBERY?” Kharge said in his post.
Addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak said a few days ago, Narendra Modi was stating at an election rally that there is no oil crisis in the country and there would be no inflation.
“Amit Shah was also singing the same tune, and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri was also stating that our oil reserves are full. There is no crisis. A question for Narendra Modi—if everything is hunky-dory, then…Despite the fall in crude oil prices in the international market, why are petrol-diesel prices rising in India?” she said.
Why have petrol prices been increased by Rs 8 and diesel by Rs 7.80 in the last 11 days, she asked.
“The 43 lakh crore rupees collected from the public by increasing excise duty—why isn’t that revenue being used to provide relief to the country’s people in this economic crisis?” Nayak asked.
“The country’s three oil companies, which control 90 per cent of the domestic retail market, have seen a 41 per cent surge in their combined net profit for the fourth quarter. During the global crisis that Narendra Modi is citing, these companies’ combined profit stands at Rs 19,470 crore,” she claimed.
“The truth is that Narendra Modi is filling his friends’ coffers by cutting into the public’s pockets, which is why petrol-diesel prices are being hiked repeatedly. Even as other countries are providing relief to the public on petrol-diesel, after collecting Rs 43 lakh crore, Narendra Modi is still breaking the public’s back by driving up inflation,” she said.
Today, in the Modi government, there’s nothing but inflation—prices of things keep rising every other day, she claimed.
Posing questions to the government, she said the country is facing a daily shortage of oil and how will its supply be ensured.
“The country is burdened with a debt of Rs 216 lakh crore; how will they pay it off? During Operation Sindoor, China stood with Pakistan, and now Modi’s friend Trump is going to China—so how will they improve their foreign policy? How will all this be set right—by making REELs or by handing out melodies? Narendra Modi will have to answer these questions,” she said.
With the latest revision, cumulative increases in petrol and diesel prices have nearly touched Rs 7.5 per litre since fuel price revisions resumed on May 15 after a prolonged freeze, stoking concerns over inflationary pressures and higher transportation costs across the economy.
Petrol prices were raised to Rs 102.12 a litre in Delhi from Rs 99.51 previously, while diesel rates were increased to Rs 95.20 per litre from Rs 92.49.
BJP counters Rahul
The BJP on Monday slammed Rahul Gandhi for his comments on the recent spree of fuel price hikes, accusing the Congress leader of attempting to undermine the country. This response followed Gandhi’s scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latest fuel hike, in which he said ‘mehangai manav’ has struck again, stating that Modi’s only role is to make promises during elections while attacking people’s pockets at other times.
Petrol and diesel prices were raised by Rs 2.61-2.71 per litre on Monday, marking the fourth increase in less than two weeks as state-owned fuel retailers continued to pass on rising international oil prices to consumers. Reacting sharply to Gandhi’s remarks, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia called the Congress leader “foolish, immature, and anarchic,” alleging that “the leader of the opposition is attempting to weaken the country.”
Bhatia highlighted that oil and diesel prices have surged significantly worldwide; however, India’s price increases have been modest in comparison, particularly when viewed alongside those in the US, UK, and Gulf nations.
“Rahul Gandhi, if your motive is to spread anarchy, we are also determined to make India stronger,” the BJP spokesperson told a press conference at the party headquarters here.
He added that India is effectively addressing this global challenge under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasising that the country’s economy is strong and that the people support the Modi government.
Bhatia claimed that petrol prices have risen by 58 per cent in Malaysia, 46 per cent in the US, 34 per cent in Canada, 25 per cent in China, and 20 per cent in the UK, while in India, they have only increased by 5.5 per cent thus far.
“For nearly 65 to 70 days, a war-like situation persisted, yet in India, petrol prices did not rise even by Rs 1. The primary reason for this was the government’s intent that no burden should fall on the common man,” he said.
Bhatia said the government took “concrete steps” in the interest of the people of India, while oil companies “accepted” the losses. It was ensured that the common people did not suffer, he added.
“Another important truth is that, even after 75 days, there is no shortage of petrol and diesel in the country, and these fuels remain available in the market. While there is a global crisis regarding gas, India has prioritised domestic gas, ensuring its availability,” the BJP spokesperson said.
Bhatia mentioned that over the past 80 days, inflation has sharply increased in many countries, while in India it has remained around 4 per cent. This, he claimed, is proof of the effective management of the country’s economy under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.
“Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge should see all this. It is not right to be blinded by hatred,” he added.
Bhatia also criticised Gandhi over his reported remark that the Modi government will fall within a year, alleging that the Congress leader is talking about “ending democracy and the entire system” because he cannot come to power through democratic means.
“Rahul Gandhi, who is already the ‘Bhasmasur’ of Indian politics, has now become an astrologer and started predicting the future of the governments as well,” the BJP spokesperson said.
“Rahul Gandhi is talking about the fall of the government, but, in reality, it is he who has fallen in the eyes of the people,” he added.