The Indian government has denied reports suggesting a price increase for petrol and diesel following the elections, despite a research report from Kotak Institutional Equities indicating that oil marketing companies (OMCs) are incurring significant losses. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated that there are no proposals for a price hike, labeling the reports as misleading. Currently, crude oil prices are around $120 per barrel, influenced by ongoing tensions in the Middle East, particularly between the United States and Iran, which have disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route. Despite these pressures, fuel prices in India have remained unchanged for four years, primarily due to the government's strategy to avoid inflation during the election season. Analysts predict that a price increase of ₹25–28 per litre may be necessary after the elections, with current petrol and diesel prices in Delhi at ₹94.77 and ₹87.67 per litre, respectively.