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Blow to household budgets: Congress slams govt over latest hike in petrol, diesel prices
ET Bureau | May 26, 2026 3:57 AM CST

Synopsis

Fuel prices have risen again, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition. Leaders state this hike will fuel inflation and strain family finances. They recall a past situation where the UPA government offered subsidies during high crude oil prices. The current government is accused of prioritizing elections over public relief.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi: The Opposition deplored the government over the latest hike in petrol and diesel prices, saying every time the government hikes fuel price it spikes inflation and delivers a blow to household budgets.

"They raise petrol, diesel prices in instalments so that your pocket keeps getting quietly fleeced. I've been warning for months about an economic storm coming. But Modiji, as always, was busy with elections back then, and the moment elections ended, petrol-diesel prices were hiked by ₹8. And this rise will just keep happening. 'Inflation Man Modi's' only job is making promises during elections, and the rest of the time he targets the public's pockets," said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

UPA Provided relief: Kharge


Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said: "This government has brought about this dire situation. This is a government-created crisis. A similar situation had existed during the UPA era when crude oil prices had risen significantly. Yet, the UPA government provided relief to the people by subsidising fuel prices..."


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