Achhe din for PR, hardship for people: Opposition slams fuel price hike

Punjab Congress and AAP leaders have criticised the BJP-led Centre after a third fuel price hike in nine days, pushing petrol and diesel rates up by nearly ₹5 per litre. They warned the increase would fuel inflation and burden ordinary citizens

Chandigarh: The Punjab Congress and the AAP on Saturday slammed the BJP-led Centre over a third fuel price hike in just nine days, saying it has put yet another financial burden on ordinary citizens.

On Saturday, petrol and diesel prices were increased by 87 to 91 paise per litre, bringing the total rise in retail fuel prices to nearly Rs 5 per litre in less than ten days, as state-owned companies responded to soaring international oil prices.

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Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring slammed the Centre over the price hike, calling it the “real economics” of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.

“First create headlines with symbolic ‘simplicity’, then quietly transfer the burden to ordinary citizens through rising fuel prices. PM Modi showcases a ‘2-car convoy for cameras,” Warring said in a post on X. He emphasised that when diesel prices rise, it leads to inflation across the entire economy, causing transport, vegetables, milk, farming, logistics, and daily essentials to become more expensive.

“This government has mastered optics, not relief. For the BJP, perception management comes first. For citizens, survival is becoming expensive. “Achhe Din” for PR agencies. Inflation and hardship for the people,” Warring said, taking a dig at the BJP.

Aam Aadmi Party leader and MLA Kuldip Singh Dhaliwal also criticised the BJP-led government for the latest fuel price hike, stating that he had previously predicted the government would once again raise fuel rates, and that prediction has now come true.

“Where will farmers go? Where will ordinary citizens go?” he asked.

Dhaliwal claimed, “Fuel prices will rise again,” labelling the BJP-led Centre as “anti-farmer” and “anti-people.” Petrol and diesel prices were increased by Rs 3 per litre each on May 15 and 90 paise a litre on May 19. The back-to-back increases follow a prolonged freeze in retail fuel prices and come amid elevated crude oil prices in the global market.