NEW DELHI | May 15, 2026
The Indian National Congress on Friday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central government following a fresh hike in petrol and diesel prices. The opposition party alleged that the government “deliberately suppressed” the price increase until the conclusion of recent assembly elections to avoid public backlash at the polls.
Key Highlights:
- The Accusation: Using the slogan “Take votes first, then raise prices,” Congress leaders claimed the timing of the hike proves the government’s priorities are purely political rather than economic.
- Post-Election Burden: Party spokespersons argued that fuel prices were kept artificially stable during the campaign period and were only increased once the voting process was completed.
- Impact on Common Man: The Congress has demanded an immediate rollback, stating that the hike will lead to a cascading effect on the prices of essential commodities, further hurting the middle and lower-income groups.
