New Delhi [India], May 26 : Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the government is "incapable" of solving the "problems of the poor" amid the hike in fuel prices.
The remarks come amid a fresh round of fuel price hikes across the country. Petrol and diesel prices were revised upward again on Monday, marking the fourth increase in less than two weeks.
Kharge levelled accusations against PM Modi of neglecting the concerns of the nation, questioning him over the rising inflation, unemployment rate, and fuel price hike. Reflecting on the public's disappointment over the matter, he questioned PM Modi over his foreign visits and asked if he "wants to run the country".
"This means that PM Modi does not want to pay attention to this and wants to ruin the nation. He claims to be sacrificing for the nation. If inflation and unemployment constantly increase, factories are shut down. What will happen? People of the country are angry with this government. This government is incapable of solving the problems of the poor," he said.
"The government does not pay attention to this issue, nor do they review what is good for the country, and this matter is not just of today. It has increased ever since the government came to power. Do they want to run the country or visit various nations as tourists?" he added.
Earlier in the day, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge attacked the Centre over rising fuel prices, questioning the rise in petrol and diesel rates despite a decline in global crude oil prices.
In a post on X, Kharge accused the government of burdening the common man while continuing to profit from fuel taxes and price hikes."Hath kangan ko arsi kya padhe likhe ko farsi kya" Kharge wrote, while targeting the BJP-led government over inflation and fuel pricing.
Referring to figures cited in an official statement by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Kharge said that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office on May 26, 2014, crude oil prices stood at USD 108.05 per barrel and the rupee-dollar exchange rate was Rs 58.59."At that time, petrol was available at Rs 71.51 and diesel at Rs 56.71 per litre. Today, the price of crude oil is less than USD 99 per barrel, but the prices of petrol and diesel have risen to Rs 102.12 and Rs 95.20 per litre, respectively," Kharge said.
"In other words, crude oil has become cheaper, but petrol has become about 42.8 per cent more expensive, and diesel about 67.9 per cent more expensive," he added.
Kharge further stated that rising petrol and diesel prices affect every sector of the economy, increasing inflationary pressure on transportation, food items and essential commodities.
"Every economist knows that the inflation in petrol and diesel affects every sector. From transportation to food items, the burden of inflation on the common man increases. Despite this, the government's profiteering continues. The question is straightforward: when crude oil has become cheaper, why have petrol and diesel become more expensive? Why is there no relief for the public?" he said.
In Delhi, petrol prices crossed the Rs 100 mark and are now retailing at Rs 102.12 per litre, while diesel prices rose to Rs 95.20 per litre. Prices also increased in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.
The latest hike follows recent increases on May 15, May 19 and May 23. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices in Delhi were also raised by Rs 2 per kg from Tuesday, taking the price to Rs 83.09 per kg.