New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi government over rising fuel prices, questioning why petrol and diesel rates continue to remain high despite lower global crude oil prices.
In a post on X, Kharge compared fuel prices and crude oil rates between 2014 and 2026, alleging that the Centre was continuing its “profiteering” at the cost of common citizens.
Beginning his post with the Hindi phrase, “What care do the unlearned have for bracelets on the wrist, What care do the educated have for Persian!”, Kharge cited figures from an official PIB statement to highlight the contrast in fuel pricing trends.
“According to the PIB's official statement, exactly twelve years ago today, on May 26, 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed power, the price of India's crude oil was $108.05 per barrel, and the dollar-rupee exchange rate was 58.59 rupees. At that time, petrol was available at ₹71.51 and diesel at ₹56.71 per liter,” Kharge wrote.
He further pointed out that global crude oil prices are currently below $99 per barrel, yet retail fuel prices have risen significantly.
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“Today, the price of crude oil is less than $99 per barrel, but the prices of petrol and diesel have risen to ₹102.12 and ₹95.20 per liter, respectively,” the Congress chief said.
Kharge claimed that despite crude oil becoming cheaper, petrol prices have increased by nearly 42.8 per cent while diesel prices have surged by around 67.9 per cent over the past 12 years.
“In other words, crude oil has become cheaper, but petrol has become about 42.8% more expensive, and diesel about 67.9% more expensive,” he said.
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The Congress leader also argued that rising fuel prices have a cascading effect on inflation and everyday expenses for ordinary citizens.
“Every economist knows that the inflation in petrol and diesel affects every sector. From transportation to food items, the burden of inflation on the common man increases. Despite this, the government's profiteering continues,” Kharge stated.
Questioning the rationale behind the latest fuel price hikes, he asked, “The question is straightforward: when crude oil has become cheaper, why have petrol and diesel become more expensive? Why is there no relief for the public?”
The remarks come amid fresh increases in petrol and diesel prices across metro cities, marking the fourth hike in less than four weeks.
The continuity in fuel and gas price hikes over the last two weeks has severely impacted day-to-day activities.
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On Monday, fuel prices were hiked for the fourth consecutive time in less than four weeks.
In Delhi, the retail price of petrol rose by Rs 2.61 per litre, increasing from Rs 99.51 to Rs 102.12 per litre. Diesel prices in the national capital also went up by Rs 2.71 per litre, rising from Rs 92.49 to Rs 95.20 per litre.
In another shock today, the compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices in Delhi-NCR have been hiked by Rs 2 per kg, adding to the fuel cost burden on consumers amid recent increases in petrol and diesel rates.
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