The Congress on Monday sharply criticised the PM Modi-led government over the Fuel Price Hike, with party president Mallikarjun Kharge describing the repeated hikes as a “daily assault of fuel loot.” The party termed the repeated hikes a “silent tax on every Indian household” and accused the Centre of shielding corporate interests.
The attack came after fuel prices were raised for the fourth time in less than two weeks amid continued volatility in global crude oil markets and geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
In a post on X, Kharge alleged that the Centre was burdening ordinary citizens despite stable international crude oil prices, intensifying the political debate over the fuel price hike issue.
Mallikarjun Kharge Calls Fuel price surge a “Daily Assault”
“The Daily Assault of FUEL LOOT is not over yet! 4th hike in 10 days!! Petrol – ₹7.35/litre, Diesel – ₹7.53/litre,” Kharge wrote on X, strongly criticising the fuel price hike under the Modi government.
He further claimed that despite global crude oil prices not witnessing a significant rise, retail fuel prices in India had increased sharply, pointing again to the ongoing fuel price hike trend.
Kharge also alleged massive revenue extraction from citizens, questioning who benefits from the continued fuel price hike across the country.
Congress Leaders Call Fuel Price Hike a ‘Silent Tax’
Congress leader and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge described the repeated fuel price hike as a “silent tax on every Indian household,” saying it directly impacts essential goods and services.
He said the poor and middle class are both affected due to rising transport and living costs linked to the fuel price hike, including bus fares, groceries, milk, and EMIs.
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Congress MP Manickam Tagore also criticised the Centre, comparing current prices with previous years and linking corporate profits to the Fuel price surge.
Opposition Accuses Government of Corporate Bias
Tagore further alleged that oil companies and corporate interests are being favoured amid the Fuel price surge, making strong political remarks against the government.
Another Congress leader, Pramod Tiwari, targeted rising fuel prices in metro cities, highlighting the burden of the fuel price hike on households in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.
The Daily Assault of FUEL LOOT is not over yet!
4th hike in 10 days !!
Petrol – ₹7.35/litre
Diesel – ₹7.53/litreModi Govt has sprinkled Petrol to Burn the Savings of common people.
⛽️Between 2004 and 2014, during the UPA, international crude oil prices increased by… pic.twitter.com/4rP8BfasNj
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) May 25, 2026
Government Responds, Cites Global Factors Behind Fuel price surge
Responding to criticism, Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar defended the fuel price hike, attributing it to global geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions.
He said international conflicts have impacted fuel supply and demand, making the Fuel price surge a natural outcome of global conditions.
Rajbhar also responded to opposition criticism by referring to previous administrations and defending policy decisions.
Fuel price surge Continues Across Major Cities
Petrol and diesel prices were revised upward again on Monday, marking the fourth fuel price hike in less than two weeks amid volatile global crude oil markets.
In Delhi, petrol rose to ₹102.12 per litre and diesel to ₹95.20 per litre, reflecting the ongoing uel price surge trend.
Similar increases were reported in other metro cities, raising concerns over inflation, transport costs, and household budgets as the fuel price hike continues to impact consumers.