Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Modi Government Over Recent Fuel Price Increases
Rahul Gandhi slams Modi govt over fuel price hike: ‘Public will pay for mistakes’
Mint
Image: Mint
On May 15, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the recent ₹3 per litre hike in fuel prices, attributing it to the government's mistakes. Following the increase, petrol prices in New Delhi rose to ₹97.77 per litre and diesel to ₹90.67 per litre, amidst rising global crude oil prices due to the ongoing West Asia conflict.
- 01Petrol prices in New Delhi increased from ₹94.77 to ₹97.77 per litre, while diesel prices rose from ₹87.67 to ₹90.67 per litre.
- 02Rahul Gandhi described the price hike as 'vasooli' (extortion) and warned that the public will bear the consequences of the government's errors.
- 03Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the price hike, noting that India's increases were significantly lower than those in other countries affected by the West Asia conflict.
- 04The ongoing conflict in West Asia has pushed Brent crude oil prices above $100 per barrel, impacting global fuel costs.
- 05Rijiju praised the Modi government's approach to managing fuel prices, claiming it demonstrated responsible governance amid global economic pressures.
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On May 15, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the recent hike in fuel prices, which saw petrol increase by ₹3 per litre and diesel by the same amount. Following this revision, petrol prices in New Delhi rose from ₹94.77 to ₹97.77 per litre, while diesel prices increased from ₹87.67 to ₹90.67 per litre. Gandhi labeled the price hike as 'vasooli' (extortion), asserting that the public would ultimately pay for the government's mistakes. He indicated that the increase was just the beginning of further hikes to come. In contrast, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the government's actions, pointing out that the 3.2% and 3.4% increases in petrol and diesel prices, respectively, were minimal compared to the 20% to nearly 100% hikes experienced in other countries due to the ongoing West Asia conflict. He emphasized that the Modi government had managed to keep price increases relatively low despite the surge in global crude oil prices, which have surpassed $100 per barrel due to geopolitical tensions, particularly the US-Israel and Iran conflict that began in February 2023.
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The fuel price hike will likely increase transportation costs, affecting the prices of goods and services, which could lead to higher living costs for the public.
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