Petrol and Diesel Prices Hiked by ₹3: Opposition Slams Government, Akhilesh Says Cycle is the Only Option

Following a ₹3 per liter hike in petrol and diesel prices, opposition leaders including Akhilesh Yadav and Imran Pratapgarhi have criticized the government. The hike, coinciding with PM Modi's foreign visit, has been termed as "election over, recovery started" by the Congress party.

The common citizens of the country are facing a significant financial blow as petrol and diesel prices have been hiked by ₹3 per liter starting this Friday. This price surge coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's departure for a five-day foreign visit. Linking these two events, opposition leaders have launched a scathing attack on the central government. Congress leader Imran Pratapgarhi took a swipe at the Prime Minister, stating that while PM Modi has embarked on a foreign trip, he has left behind a 'gift' of inflation in the form of increased fuel prices for the nation. He questioned the timing of the hike, calling it a cruel joke on the citizens.

Opposition Leaders Launch Sharp Attacks

Expressing his views on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Imran Pratapgarhi reminisced about the election period. He remarked that had the elections been ongoing, petrol and diesel prices would likely not have seen such a hike. He questioned the government's intentions, labeling the move as a betrayal of the public's trust. Simultaneously, the official handle of the Congress party criticized the government, stating that PM Modi has once again used the 'hunter' of inflation on the public. Along with the ₹3 increase in petrol and diesel, CNG prices have also been raised by ₹2. The Congress party termed this situation as "Election over, recovery started," indicating a direct assault on the common man's pocket.

Akhilesh Yadav and TMC's Strong Reactions

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also targeted the government and suggested an alternative to the public. In a social media post, Yadav stated that the 'cycle' is the only viable option to move forward in this era of rising costs. He implied that the escalating fuel prices are forcing the public to look back at traditional and economical modes of transport. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien expressed his deep disappointment, calling the hike a predictable yet sad development. He alleged that the government first loots the people's votes and then strikes where it hurts the most. O'Brien also touched upon the possibility of the Bengal government reducing VAT and criticized the Delhi-controlled administration, which he said doesn't need to worry about the center withholding funds.

Priyanka Chaturvedi's Questions and Rising Milk Prices

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi raised serious questions regarding the hike in fuel prices and the continuous fall of the Indian Rupee. She mockingly asked who among the Rupee, Diesel, and Petrol would hit a 'century' first. Referring to the situation in Mumbai, she noted that the 'triple engine government' there has already reached the hundred-mark, while this wave of inflation isn't limited to fuel alone. Just before the hike in petrol and diesel, India's two largest dairy producers, Amul and Mother Dairy, announced a ₹2 per liter increase in milk prices on Wednesday. This has further increased the pressure of inflation and added to the burden on household budgets.

The simultaneous increase in the prices of essential commodities like fuel and milk has severely impacted the household budgets of the common man. Opposition parties maintain that as soon as the elections concluded, the government revealed its true colors by imposing an economic burden on the citizens, while with the rise in petrol, diesel, CNG, and milk prices, there are concerns that the cost of other essential goods and services may also surge in the coming days, further intensifying the pressure of inflation on the general populace across the nation.