New Delhi: Congress on Friday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that he has "unleashed the whip" on the public after the Centre increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 across the country.
Congress, linking the fuel price hike to the completion of the Assembly election in four states and one union territory, said that PM Modi's "vasooli (extortion) begins" after the elections.
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"Inflation Man Modi has once again unleashed the whip on the public today. Petrol and diesel have been increased by 3-3 rupees. Meanwhile, CNG prices have also been raised by 2 rupees. Elections over - Modi's extortion begins," Congress said.
The Centre has hiked the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 3 per litre each on Friday across the country. CNG prices were also hiked by Rs 2.
In New Delhi, the petrol prices rose from Rs 94.77 to Rs 97.77 per litre, while diesel prices increased from Rs 87.67 to Rs 90.67 per litre.
This comes amid a call for fuel conservation as the world faces an energy crisis amid the West Asia conflict, which led to a blockade in the significant maritime trade route, the Strait of Hormuz.
The widening of the ambit of the war engulfed the West Asian countries, which are major suppliers of fuel.
However, India has maintained that there is no shortage of fuel and has adequate energy supplies.
How other political parties reacted
Reacting to the increase in petrol and diesel prices, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien took a swipe at the Centre, alleging that people were being made to bear the brunt of inflation after elections. In a post on X, he said the fuel price hike was “pathetically predictable” and asked whether the BJP-led government in Bengal would reduce VAT on petrol and diesel now that it no longer had to worry about central funds being blocked.
Furthermore, MP from Faizabad Awadhesh Prasad said the increase in diesel, petrol and cooking gas prices would place a heavy burden on ordinary citizens. The Samajwadi Party veteran alleged that the economy had “completely collapsed” and claimed the Centre’s foreign policy had failed.
He further warned that prices would continue to rise and said the government had “no solution” to address inflation and the growing economic distress faced by people.
