'Mehangai manav' strikes again: Rahul Gandhi slams PM Modi on fuel hike

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latest increase in petrol and diesel prices accusing the government of burdening citizens with repeated fuel hikes after electionsThe Congress leader said the government was quietly increasing fuel prices in phases and alleged that the public was being forced to bear the impact of rising inflation and transportation costsRahul Gandhi targets PM over repeated fuel hikesIn a post on social media platform X Rahul Gandhi referred to the Prime Minister as ldquomehangai manavrdquo and claimed the government raises prices after elections while making promises during campaign periodsldquoHe raises petrol and diesel prices in instalments ensuring that peoplersquos pockets are quietly picked bit by bitrdquo Gandhi saidThe Congress MP also claimed that he had repeatedly warned about economic difficulties and inflationary pressure in the countryAccording to Gandhi the latest round of fuel price hikes reflects a continuing trend that is likely to affect household budgets and the broader economyFuel prices hiked for fourth time in two weeksPetrol and diesel prices were increased again on Monday marking the fourth upward revision in less than two weeksStateowned oil marketing companies raised petrol prices by Rs 261 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 271 per litreWith the latest revision petrol prices in Delhi increased from Rs 9951 per litre to Rs 10212 per litre while diesel prices rose from Rs 9249 to Rs 9520 per litreOverall cumulative fuel price increases since May 15 have now reached nearly Rs 75 per litreMajor cities witness sharp increase in fuel ratesFollowing the latest revision petrol in Mumbai is now retailing at Rs 11121 per litre while diesel costs Rs 9783 per litreIn Kolkata petrol prices have climbed to Rs 11351 per litre and diesel to Rs 9982 per litreChennai recorded petrol prices of Rs 10777 per litre while diesel rates rose to Rs 9955 per litreFuel prices continue to vary across states depending on local taxes and levies imposed by state governmentsRising crude oil prices linked to revisionsOfficials and industry analysts have attributed the recent fuel price hikes to elevated global crude oil prices higher refining costs and the weakening rupeeGlobal crude prices have reportedly surged sharply in recent months amid tensions in West Asia including disruptions to shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz following the conflict involving Iran the United States and IsraelStateowned oil companies mdash Indian Oil Corporation Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited mdash together account for nearly 90 per cent of Indiarsquos fuel retail marketOpposition alleges fuel hikes delayed until after electionsThe latest round of increases follows a prolonged freeze in retail fuel prices earlier this yearOpposition parties have alleged that the government delayed revising fuel prices until after key Assembly elections were completedFuel prices were first increased by around Rs 3 per litre on May 15 followed by another hike on May 19 and a further increase on May 23The May 15 revision came shortly after the Bharatiya Janata Party secured victories in several state and Union Territory elections including West BengalThe government however has maintained that pricing decisions are linked to international market conditions and aimed at balancing rising import costs with fuel supply stability