Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, May 15: Opposition parties on Friday launched sharp attacks on the Narendra Modi-led NDA government after petrol and diesel prices were increased by Rs 3 per litre across the country amid rising global crude oil prices linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis.
The Congress party criticised the Centre over the hike, accusing the government of burdening the public after elections. In a post on social media platform X, the party remarked, “‘Inflation Man’ Modi has once again lashed out at the public today.”
The party also pointed out that CNG prices had been increased by Rs 2 per kg and added, “Elections over – Modi ki vasooli shuru.”
The criticism came after fuel retailers revised prices upward across major cities. In Delhi, petrol prices rose from Rs 94.77 to Rs 97.77 per litre, while diesel increased from Rs 87.67 to Rs 90.67 per litre.
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien also targeted the Centre, calling the fuel price revision “pathetically predictable.” In a social media post, he alleged that the government was imposing additional burdens on citizens after the elections.
He further questioned whether the West Bengal government would now consider reducing VAT on petrol and diesel following the latest hike.
Following the revision, petrol prices in Kolkata crossed the Rs 100 mark, reaching Rs 108.74 per litre, while diesel climbed to Rs 95.13 per litre.
The latest increase comes amid a sharp rise in global energy prices triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s key crude oil shipping routes.
According to reports, the current hike reflects only a partial adjustment to the increase in global crude prices, with state-run oil marketing companies having absorbed significant pressure for several weeks.
Earlier this week, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said India had maintained stable fuel supplies despite global uncertainty and noted that the country currently has sufficient fuel stocks for around two months.
However, he also warned that if crude oil prices remain elevated without corresponding retail price revisions, state-owned oil companies could face losses nearing Rs 1 lakh crore within a single quarter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently appealed to citizens to adopt fuel-saving measures such as using public transport, carpooling, switching to electric vehicles, reducing edible oil consumption, and avoiding unnecessary gold purchases to help reduce import dependence and save foreign exchange.