Mallikarjun Kharge slams Modi government over fuel prices, questions lack of relief despite fall in crude oil rates

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) attacked the Modi government over rising fuel prices and asked why people were not provided relief when crude oil prices were falling in the last 12 years.

Referring to an official statement by PIB, Mr. Kharge stated that exactly 12 years ago today – on May 26, 2014 – when Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office, the price of crude oil in the Indian basket was $108.05 per barrel and the Dollar-Rupee exchange rate was ₹58.59.

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In his Hindi post on

Today, the barrel price of crude oil is below $99; Still, petrol and diesel prices have increased to ₹102.12 and ₹95.20 per litre, respectively, Mr. Kharge said.

In other words, while crude oil has become cheaper, gasoline has become approximately 42.8 percent more expensive and diesel has become approximately 67.9 percent more expensive, he said.

“Every economist knows that rising petrol and diesel prices affect every sector. From transportation to food products, the burden of inflation on the common man continues to intensify. Yet government profiteering continues unabated,” Mr. Kharge said.

“The question is obvious: Why did gasoline and diesel become more expensive when crude oil prices fell?” he said.

Mr. Kharge asked why there was no relief for the public.

Congress on Monday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latest fuel price hike; Rahul Gandhi claimed that the ‘mehangai manav’ is back in action and has a single mission to make promises during elections and attack people’s pockets at other times.

Mr. Kharge also hit out at the Modi government over the issue and asked who was benefiting from this “daily robbery”.

Petrol and diesel prices were increased by ₹2.61-2.71 per liter on Monday (May 25), marking the fourth increase in less than two weeks as state-owned fuel retailers continue to pass on rising international petrol prices to consumers.