New Delhi [India], May 23 (ANI): Congress leader Pramod Tiwari on Saturday launched a strong criticism of the Central government over the recent rise in petrol and diesel prices, accusing it of worsening inflation and putting additional financial pressure on the public.

Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre, Tiwari claimed that fuel prices have been raised three times within the last 10 days, leading to a total increase of 5 per litre.

https://x.com/pramodtiwari700/status/2058056088474521729

Taking on X, 'Another Blow to the People's Pockets! Petrol and diesel prices hiked for the third time in 10 days. 3 + 1 + 1 = a shocking total increase of 5 per liter. And just the day before yesterday, in a meeting, the government was shouting that 'everything is under control.' He said.

The Congress leader also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier statements on fuel prices made before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

'Mr Modi, back in 2014, you used to say, 'Manmohan Singh has increased inflation; when we come to power, we'll bring petrol down to 30 per litre'? Today, petrol prices have reached nearly 100. Promised 30, delivered 100!', he said.

He further blamed the Centre's economic and foreign policies for rising inflation and increasing fuel costs across the country.

'This inflation is the result of your flawed foreign policy and failed economic policies. Private companies (your crony capitalist friends) are looting the common man to make profits. This is nothing short of daylight robbery of the people. Modi government, roll back the price hike immediately!', he said.

Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday launched a blistering attack on the BJP-led Central government following the latest round of fuel price hikes, accusing the ruling party of allegedly draining the common man's earnings in 'instalments'.

'Petrol has now crossed Rs 100. This time around. Looting the public's earnings in installments! The BJP's appetite isn't satisfied even after slapping a central tax of Rs 1000 crore daily on petrol-diesel. When international prices were low, they didn't pass on the benefits to the people--instead, they looted them relentlessly. When the crisis hit, they dove headfirst into elections, and after the elections, they preached sacrifice,' he wrote in the post.

Rebutting the administration's claims that fuel prices in India remain lower than in foreign nations, Kharge provided a comparative breakdown of how international governments stepped in to protect consumers during the recent West Asia energy crisis.

'Then, in just 8 days, they hiked petrol-diesel prices three times. We were told that prices in India are the lowest compared to foreign countries. When the war in West Asia broke out and PM Modi was busy feeding us Indians the 'everything's fine' sedative, other countries were providing relief to their citizens. 1. Italy cut excise on fuel, giving their people some relief. 2. Australia reduced excise duty, slashing petrol prices by about 17 per liter for citizens. 3. Germany lowered taxes on oil, reducing fuel prices by 17-19 per liter. 4. The UK provided Pound 100 in oil aid to households and cut taxes on fuel and electricity. 5. Ireland's EUR250 million relief package brought petrol prices down by about EUR0.15/liter and diesel by EUR0.20/liter,' he wrote.

Petrol and diesel prices were increased again across major metropolitan cities on Saturday, marking the third fuel price hike in less than 10 days amid continuing volatility in global energy markets.

The repeated hikes come amid a call for fuel conservation as the world faces an energy crisis amid the West Asia conflict, which led to a blockade in the significant maritime trade route, the Strait of Hormuz. (ANI)