NEW DELHI, May 25: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday intensified his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latest rise in fuel prices, alleging that the government was steadily increasing the financial burden on ordinary citizens through repeated hikes in petrol and diesel rates.
Reacting sharply to Monday’s fuel price revision, Gandhi said the “Mehangai Manav” had “struck again,” accusing the Prime Minister of focusing on election promises while allowing inflation to hurt the public after polls conclude.
In a post on X written in Hindi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha claimed that petrol and diesel prices were being raised in phases so that people “quietly feel the impact little by little.” He further alleged that he had repeatedly warned about a looming economic crisis, but the government remained occupied with election campaigns instead of addressing inflation concerns.
The remarks came after petrol and diesel prices were increased once again on Monday, marking the fourth upward revision in less than two weeks. According to industry sources, petrol prices rose by Rs 2.61 per litre while diesel became costlier by Rs 2.71 per litre.
With the latest increase, petrol in Delhi climbed to Rs 102.12 per litre from Rs 99.51 earlier, while diesel rates rose to Rs 95.20 from Rs 92.49 per litre.
The cumulative rise in fuel prices since May 15 has now approached nearly Rs 7.5 per litre, triggering concerns over inflation, transportation expenses, and the overall cost of essential commodities across the country.
Gandhi alleged that the trend of increasing fuel prices would continue in the coming months and claimed the Centre was placing an additional burden on common households already struggling with rising living costs.
Consecutive Revisions Push Rates Higher
Fuel retailers had first raised petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre each on May 15 after a prolonged freeze. This was followed by another increase on May 19, when prices were raised by 90 paise per litre. On May 23, petrol prices were hiked by 87 paise and diesel by 91 paise per litre before Monday’s fresh revision.
Following the latest increase, petrol prices in Mumbai reached Rs 111.21 per litre while diesel touched Rs 97.83. In Kolkata, petrol rose to Rs 113.51 and diesel to Rs 99.82 per litre. Chennai recorded petrol prices at Rs 107.77 and diesel at Rs 99.55 per litre.
Fuel rates differ across states depending on local taxes and levies imposed by state governments.
Global Crude Prices Behind Increase
Officials and industry experts attributed the rise in retail fuel prices to surging international crude oil prices, shrinking refining margins, and the weakening rupee, all of which have increased the cost of imports for oil marketing companies.
Global crude oil prices have reportedly surged by more than 50 per cent since late February amid escalating tensions in West Asia following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and disruptions in shipping movement through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.
State-run oil marketing companies — Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited — together account for nearly 90 per cent of India’s fuel retail market.
Political Row Over Timing of Hike
The fresh revisions have also triggered a political debate, with opposition parties alleging that the government delayed fuel price hikes until the conclusion of key state and Union Territory elections.
The BJP recently expanded its electoral presence by securing victories in three of the five state and UT elections, including West Bengal, after which fuel prices were revised upward.
While the government has maintained that earlier price controls were aimed at shielding consumers from inflationary pressures during volatile global conditions, opposition leaders argue that the delayed revisions were politically motivated.