New Delhi, May 19 (UNI) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday hit out at the Modi government over the latest increase in petrol and diesel prices, alleging that the Centre was shifting the burden of its failures onto the public while seeking concessions abroad.
In a post on X, Kharge wrote, “It's been only four days since prices were hiked, and the Modi government has raised petrol and diesel prices again.”
He added, “After setting the entire stage, preaching about savings, the work of shifting the burden of their failures onto the public is in progress.”
Targeting the government’s policies, the Congress chief said, “‘Looting the common people and giving Adani a waiver from America’ — this is Modi Ji’s Compromised Model.”
Kharge also questioned India’s approach to buying Russian oil amid Western sanctions. “Modi Ji, who carries the false pride of being a ‘Vishwaguru,’ has pleaded with America and secured a one-month extension of ‘permission’ to buy Russian oil. By doing this every time, he hurts the self-respect of 1.4 billion Indians. No previous government has ever done this,” he wrote.
Raising questions on domestic fuel pricing, he said, “Now the question is: When, according to the government, we have been ‘allowed’ to do this, then why is the burden of petrol and diesel prices still being put on the common people?”
The Congress President further alleged a lack of planning in the BJP. “I repeat once again — the BJP lacks vision and leadership. When the crisis hit, they remained busy with elections, then, with smooth talk, they made a plan to loot. In the meantime, they also got their dearest friend off the hook!” he posted.
On the Prime Minister’s global outreach, Kharge said, “You don’t become a ‘Vishwaguru’ just by doing sponsored PR abroad… Modi Ji, you have to ensure accountability to the people.”
He urged the government to address public concerns directly. “Don’t run from the real questions… They have nothing to do with ‘how you eat mangoes’ or ‘which tonic you drink’. Only if you answer what you yourself are doing about the crisis will you be called the people’s true ‘Pradhan Sevak’. Otherwise, you will remain just a ‘pracharak’.”
The criticism comes as oil marketing companies revised fuel rates for the second time in less than a week. Petrol and diesel prices in India are determined by global crude rates, exchange rate fluctuations, and central and state taxes. India has sharply increased imports of discounted Russian crude since 2022 after the Ukraine conflict, with the government stating that energy security for 1.4 billion people guides its purchases. New Delhi has maintained that it is not bound by the G7 price cap on Russian oil but has engaged with the US and European partners on energy trade.
Fuel prices and inflation have remained key political flashpoints, with the Congress repeatedly accusing the government of failing to pass on the benefits of cheaper crude to consumers. The BJP has previously defended its economic management, citing global volatility and the need for fiscal prudence, while rejecting allegations of favoritism toward any corporate group.
UNI SKA RSA