Fuel prices are back in the political spotlight as the Congress party launches a sharp attack on the Modi government over the latest petrol and diesel price hike. Calling PM Narendra Modi “Mehngai Man”, Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and K C Venugopal accused the Centre of pushing the burden of economic pressure onto ordinary citizens right after elections. The opposition has alleged that while global crude oil prices saw periods of decline, the government failed to provide relief to the public and instead increased fuel costs once polling concluded. Kharge described the situation as a “Modi-made crisis”, linking rising inflation, expensive fuel and growing pressure on middle-class and poor families to the Centre’s economic policies.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a fierce political attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the PM urged Indians to adopt economic restraint amid rising pressure from the West Asia crisis and global uncertainty. In a sharp statement posted on X, Rahul Gandhi accused PM Modi of asking ordinary citizens to carry the burden of economic stress after years of governance failures. The Congress MP slammed the government’s appeal asking people to reduce petrol and diesel consumption, delay gold purchases, avoid unnecessary foreign travel and embrace austerity measures. The political showdown intensified after PM Modi called for greater economic discipline, encouraging citizens to use metros, work from home where possible and conserve foreign exchange reserves during turbulent global conditions linked to the escalating West Asia conflict. WATCH