Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Modi government of burdening common citizens after petrol
May 25, 2026: Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday strongly criticised the Modi government over the latest rise in petrol and diesel prices, calling the repeated hikes a “daily assault of fuel loot.” The Indian National Congress accused the Centre of imposing a silent financial burden on ordinary households while allegedly protecting corporate interests. Kharge’s remarks came after fuel prices were increased for the fourth time in less than two weeks amid continued volatility in global crude oil markets and tensions in West Asia.
In a post on X, Kharge claimed the government was increasing fuel prices despite international crude oil rates remaining relatively stable. He alleged that petrol prices had risen from ₹71.41 per litre in 2014 to ₹102.12 per litre in 2026, while diesel prices climbed from ₹56.71 to ₹95.20 per litre during the same period. Kharge further accused the government of “looting ₹43 lakh crore in the last 12 years” and questioned who was benefiting from the continued price hikes.
Fuel prices were revised upward again on Monday across major metro cities. In New Delhi, petrol prices increased by ₹2.61 to ₹102.12 per litre, while diesel rose by ₹2.71 to ₹95.20 per litre. Similar hikes were reported in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, raising concerns over inflation, transportation costs and the impact on household budgets. The repeated increases have intensified political attacks on the Modi government as rising fuel prices continue to affect consumers nationwide.