Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has slammed the Central government over the fourth fuel price hike in 10 days, alleging that farmers, small industries, and every section of society are bearing the brunt of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) loot of the country.
The latest revision follows three successive hikes in recent days, with petrol and diesel prices increasing by ₹3 per litre each on May 15, ₹90 paise per litre on May 19, and ₹87 paise per litre and ₹91 paise per litre on May 23, respectively.
Kharge claimed that over the past 12 years, the government has 'looted' ₹42 lakh crore, which he said amounts to nearly ₹1,000 per day.
The Congress president also highlighted that despite sharp increases in crude oil prices between 2004 and 2014, the government then took steps to ensure the price increases were not felt.
He further claimed that the Modi government has hiked petrol prices from ₹71.41 per litre in 2014 to ₹102.12 per litre in 2026, a rise of 43.01%, and diesel prices from ₹56.71 per litre to ₹95.20 per litre, an increase of 67.87%.
Kharge also questioned the government's claim of not having any shortage of fuel supplies, saying that the repeated fuel price hikes come amid sustained pressure on oil marketing companies due to elevated global crude oil prices, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, and concerns over supply disruptions linked to the ongoing tensions in West Asia.
