Congress targets centre over fuel price hikes, Rahul calls PM ‘Inflation Man’

‎‎The Congress on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi-led government over the recent increase in petrol and diesel prices, accusing the Centre of burdening citizens with repeated fuel hikes and triggering inflationary pressure across the economy.

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‎Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government was deliberately raising fuel prices in phases to avoid public backlash while continuing what he described as an assault on household finances.

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‎In a post on social media platform X, Gandhi said, “‘Inflation Man’ Modi strikes again. They increase petrol and diesel prices in installments — so that your pockets keep getting picked quietly, little by little.”

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‎Claiming that he had warned of an “economic storm” months ago, Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of prioritising elections over economic concerns.

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‎“I had been warning for months that an economic storm was coming. But Modi ji, as always, was busy with elections — and the moment the elections ended, petrol and diesel were made ₹8 more expensive. And these hikes will only continue,” he said.

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‎The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha further alleged that the government makes promises during elections but imposes financial burdens on people afterward. “‘Inflation Man’ Modi has just one job — promises during elections, and attacks on the public’s pockets the rest of the time,” Gandhi added.

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‎Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also criticised the Centre over the fuel price increases, describing them as “Fuel Loot” and claiming the latest revision marked the fourth hike in 10 days.

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‎“The Daily Assault of FUEL LOOT is not over yet! 4th hike in 10 days!!” Kharge wrote on X, alleging that petrol prices had risen by RS 7.35 per litre and diesel by RS 7.53 per litre during the recent period.

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‎“Modi Govt has sprinkled Petrol to Burn the Savings of common people,” he said.

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‎Kharge further claimed that international crude oil prices had not witnessed a significant increase during the BJP-led government’s tenure, while domestic fuel prices had continued to rise.

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‎“Despite that Modi Govt. 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%, and diesel prices from Rs 56.71 per litre to Rs 95.20 per litre, an increase of 67.87%,” he said.

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‎The Congress chief also alleged that the government had collected massive revenues through fuel taxation over the past decade. “Modi Govt. has looted Rs 43 lakh crore in the last 12 years, making it a loot of Rs 1000 everyday,” he claimed.

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‎Kharge linked the fuel price revisions to gains in the shares of public sector oil marketing companies, saying the stock prices of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Indian Oil Corporation rose after the latest hike announcement.

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‎“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!” he alleged.

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‎The Congress maintained that repeated increases in fuel prices would have a cascading effect on the broader economy, impacting transportation costs, household budgets, farmers and small businesses.

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‎“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,” Kharge said, while asking, “Who is benefitting from this daily robbery.”