The Congress on Monday intensified its criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the recent rise in petrol and diesel prices, accusing the Centre of imposing repeated fuel hikes that are increasing the financial strain on citizens and fuelling inflation across the economy.
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government was deliberately raising fuel prices in phases to avoid widespread public anger while continuing to put pressure on household budgets.
In a post on social media platform X, Gandhi remarked, “‘Inflation Man’ Modi strikes again. Petrol and diesel prices are being raised in instalments so that people’s pockets are emptied quietly, bit by bit.”
He claimed that he had cautioned months ago about an impending “economic storm” and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of focusing on elections instead of addressing economic challenges.
“I had been warning for months that an economic storm was approaching. But Modi ji, as always, remained occupied with elections — and as soon as the elections concluded, petrol and diesel prices were increased by Rs 8. These hikes are likely to continue,” Gandhi stated.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha further alleged that the government makes promises during election campaigns but later shifts the financial burden onto the public.
“‘Inflation Man’ Modi has only one approach — promises during elections and pressure on people’s pockets afterward,” Gandhi added.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also attacked the Centre over the fuel price revisions, terming them “fuel loot” and alleging that the latest increase was the fourth hike within 10 days.
“The daily assault of fuel loot is still continuing — the fourth hike in 10 days,” Kharge wrote on X. He claimed that petrol prices had risen by Rs 7.35 per litre and diesel by Rs 7.53 per litre during the recent period.
“The Modi government has poured petrol on the savings of common citizens,” he said.
Kharge further argued that global crude oil prices had not seen any major surge during the BJP government’s tenure, while domestic fuel prices continued to climb.
“Despite stable international crude trends, the Modi government increased 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. Diesel prices went up from Rs 56.71 per litre to Rs 95.20 per litre, an increase of 67.87 per cent,” he alleged.
The Congress chief also accused the government of generating massive revenue through fuel taxation over the past decade.
“The Modi government has collected Rs 43 lakh crore over the last 12 years, amounting to a loot of Rs 1,000 crore every day,” Kharge claimed.
He also linked the latest fuel price hike to gains in the shares of public sector oil marketing companies, noting that stocks of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) rose following the announcement.
“With the fourth increase in petrol and diesel prices, shares of HPCL, BPCL and IOC gained 5.8 per cent, 4.44 per cent and 3.90 per cent respectively. Profit over people is BJP’s DNA,” he alleged.
The Congress maintained that repeated increases in fuel prices would have a cascading impact on the wider economy, affecting transportation costs, household expenses, farmers, and small businesses alike.
“Every fuel price hike delivers another blow to household budgets and impacts every section of the economy. From farmers to MSMEs, all sections of society suffer because of the BJP’s fuel policies,” Kharge said, asking, “Who is benefitting from this daily robbery?”