Fuel price hike delayed till after polls, alleges Kharge

Mallikarjun Kharge criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led Centre over the recent fuel price hike, alleging the government delayed increasing petrol and diesel rates until after elections to avoid electoral damage while worsening inflation and burdening the poor

Bengaluru: Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre over the recent hike in fuel prices, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday accused them of “lacking foresight” and driving up inflation in the country. He also alleged that the central government delayed raising the petrol and diesel prices until after the assembly elections in four states and one union territory, fearing the impact on the BJP’s prospects.

Speaking to reporters, he said, “If Modi had done this ahead of elections, he would have known its effect. Realising that the hike in prices would affect his party in the polls, he hid this information all these days. Now, immediately after the elections, prices of petrol, diesel and gas have been increased.”

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“The BJP-led government and Modi lack foresight. We will raise this issue. The inflation is rising because of them, and the poor are not getting their due.” Petrol and diesel prices were hiked by Rs 3 per litre each on Friday, the first rate increase in more than four years, amid mounting losses of fuel retailers due to surging global crude prices, in the wake of West Asia conflict. The increase comes 16 days after assembly elections concluded in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.