NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge warned that the recent fuel price hikes will have a cascading effect on every aspect of the economy, particularly hurting the poor and the middle class. He pointed out that the Modi government has increased petrol prices by 43% and diesel by 68% since 2014.
Opposition leaders attack Modi over inflation
Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi labeled Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the 'inflation man' (mehengai manav). AICC general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala noted that petrol price has crossed Rs 110 per litre for the first time in 78 years after independence.
As Congress slammed the fourth hike in fuel prices in the last ten days, Kharge stated, 'Modi govt has sprinkled Petrol to burn the savings of common people.'
Rahul Gandhi's criticism
Rahul added, 'The inflation man has struck again. They raise petrol-diesel prices in instalments, so that you are fleeced very quietly. I've been warning for months about an approaching economic storm. But Modi, as always, was busy with elections at the time -- and no sooner had the elections ended than petrol-diesel prices were hiked by Rs 8. And this hike will continue. Inflation Man Modi's only job is to make promises during elections and attack the public's pocket later.'
Surjewala's accusations
Surjewala accused the ruling BJP of looting Rs 57 lakh crore in the last 12 years. 'Every day, fuel loot is picking the pockets of the common man. The last 11 days have been catastrophic on the pockets of the salaried class, farmers, businessmen, homemakers, small businesses, and the common man,' he added.
Kharge compares UPA and Modi governments
Congress president Kharge said the Modi government lacks a vision of governance, but it can learn from the UPA government under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, which managed to stave off big global crises like the subprime debacle, while ensuring that India grew economically and the poor and middle classes were not burdened financially.
