Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the recent fuel price hike, coining the term 'Mehangai Manav' to criticize the government's handling of inflation. In a series of tweets, Gandhi accused the Modi administration of consistently burdening the common man with rising prices of essential commodities, particularly petrol and diesel.
Rahul Gandhi's Accusations
Gandhi stated, 'Mehangai Manav strikes again! The Modi government has once again increased the prices of petrol and diesel, making life difficult for millions of Indians. This is a clear reflection of the government's failure to control inflation and its disregard for the welfare of the people.' He further alleged that the fuel price hike would lead to an increase in transportation costs, thereby impacting the prices of everyday goods.
Impact on Common Man
The Congress leader emphasized that the rising fuel prices are not just a burden on individual households but also on small businesses and the agricultural sector. 'Every time fuel prices go up, the farmer pays more for irrigation, the small trader pays more for transport, and the housewife pays more for groceries. This government has no solution but to pass the buck to the people,' he added.
Government's Response
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended the price hike, citing global crude oil prices and the need for fiscal prudence. Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, said, 'The government is sensitive to the concerns of the people. However, we cannot control global prices. We have taken several measures to mitigate the impact, including reducing excise duty and providing subsidies to vulnerable sections.'
Political Reactions
The opposition parties have unitedly criticized the government's move. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, 'The Modi government has no empathy for the poor. Every day, prices are rising, and the common man is suffering.' Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal announced that his government would reduce VAT on fuel in Delhi to provide relief.
Fuel Price Trends
Petrol and diesel prices have been on an upward trend for the past few months, with several revisions in recent weeks. In Delhi, petrol is currently priced at Rs 101.19 per litre, while diesel costs Rs 88.62 per litre. The price hike has been attributed to the increase in global crude oil prices and the depreciation of the Indian rupee against the US dollar.
- Petrol price in Delhi: Rs 101.19 per litre
- Diesel price in Delhi: Rs 88.62 per litre
- Recent hike: Rs 0.80 per litre for petrol and Rs 0.85 per litre for diesel
Expert Opinions
Economic analysts suggest that the fuel price hike is likely to fuel inflationary pressures. Dr. R. N. Bhaskar, an economist, said, 'Rising fuel prices have a cascading effect on the entire economy. It increases production costs, which are eventually passed on to consumers. The government needs to find a balance between global prices and domestic affordability.'
Way Forward
Rahul Gandhi demanded that the government roll back the price hike and take concrete steps to reduce the tax burden on fuel. 'The central government collects over Rs 10 per litre on petrol and diesel in the form of excise duty. If the government is serious about providing relief, it must reduce these taxes,' he said. The Congress party has announced plans to hold protests across the country against the price rise.
The fuel price hike remains a contentious issue, with the opposition using it to galvanize public sentiment ahead of upcoming state elections. As the debate continues, the common man bears the brunt of the escalating costs.
