New Delhi, May 1 (IANS): Congress leader and former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Tuesday slammed the BJP government for the "crushing tax burden" due to the prices of petroleum products, saying it has become a "people vs government" issue.

Chidambaram in a series of tweets said that people were seeking relief from the tax burden of the prices of petroleum products.

"Every rupee cut in tax on petrol/diesel will result in LOSS of Rs 13,000 crore says government. Every rupee tax on petrol/diesel will result in BURDEN of Rs 13,000 crore say the people," he said.

"Whose interest should prevail? The interest of the government or the welfare of the people? Crushing tax burden on petrol and diesel has made this into a People vs Government issue," he added.

The Congress has been accusing the Narendra Modi government of failing to curb the rise in the prices of petroleum products.

Last week the petrol price in Delhi was the highest in nearly five years and diesel prices also touched fresh record levels.