New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) Congress President, Mallikarjun Kharge, has strongly criticised the recent rise in fuel prices across the country on Monday, calling it a “daily assault of FUEL LOOT” and accusing the NDA government at the Centre of burdening common citizens.

His comments came after fuel prices were hiked again on Monday, the fourth time since May 15. Petrol has become costlier by Rs 2.61 per litre and diesel by Rs 2.71 per litre.

In a post on X, Kharge wrote, “The Daily Assault of FUEL LOOT is not over yet! 4th hike in 11 days !!”

He further highlighted the revised fuel rates, stating, “Petrol – Rs 7.35/litre, Diesel – Rs 7.53/litre,” and claimed that the price increases were adding severe pressure on households and the economy.

Kharge also targeted the government over long-term fuel pricing trends, writing, “Modi Govt has sprinkled Petrol to Burn the Savings of common people.”

He further made comparisons between previous and current fuel prices, stating that petrol has risen from Rs 71.41 per litre in 2014 to Rs 102.12 per litre in 2026, while diesel has increased from Rs 56.71 per litre to Rs 95.20 per litre.

He further alleged, “Modi Govt. has looted Rs 43 lakh crore in the last 12 years, making it a loot of Rs 1,000 EVERYDAY!”

Kharge also pointed to the impact of rising fuel prices on markets, saying, “With the 4th time rise in Petrol and Diesel prices, today the shares of HPCL, BPCL and IOC rose by 5.8 per cent, 4.44 per cent and 3.90 per cent respectively. Profit over People is BJP’s DNA!”

He warned that repeated fuel hikes were affecting all sections of society, stating, “Every fuel price hike is another blow to household budgets, and has a cascading effect on every aspect of the economy. From farmers to MSMEs, every strata of the society bears the brunt of BJP’s LOOT.”

Concluding his remarks, Kharge asked, “We repeat. Who is benefitting from this DAILY ROBBERY?”

Fuel prices were again hiked for the fourth time in a span of two weeks on Monday across the country.

State-owned oil marketing companies on Monday increased petrol prices in Delhi by Rs 2.61 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 2.71 per litre. With the latest revision, petrol is now being sold at Rs 102.12 per litre, up from Rs 99.51 per litre, while diesel prices have climbed to Rs 95.20 per litre from Rs 92.49 per litre.

The fresh hike comes just two days after fuel prices were revised upward on Saturday, with petrol increasing by Rs 0.87 per litre and diesel by Rs 0.91 per litre.

The consecutive increases in fuel rates come amid sustained pressure from rising global crude oil prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which continue to affect international energy markets and domestic fuel costs.

–IANS

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