A fierce political confrontation erupted on Friday after the Centre increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre across the country, triggering angry reactions from Opposition parties that accused the Narendra Modi government of pushing inflation higher at a time when citizens are already struggling with rising living costs.
The fuel price hike, which took effect immediately, marks the first major increase in retail petrol and diesel rates in nearly four years. Alongside petrol and diesel, CNG prices were also increased by Rs 2 per kilogram, adding further pressure on transportation and household expenses.
The government attributed the hike to soaring international crude oil prices caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia and disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz blockade, one of the world’s most critical oil supply routes.
After the revision, petrol prices climbed to Rs 97.77 per litre in New Delhi, Rs 106.68 in Mumbai, Rs 108.74 in Kolkata and Rs 103.67 in Chennai. Diesel prices also crossed Rs 90 in several metro cities.
The sharp increase immediately sparked criticism from Opposition parties, with several leaders accusing the Centre of delaying the hike until the conclusion of Assembly elections.
The Indian National Congress launched one of the strongest attacks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the government had hidden the fuel price decision until polling ended.
“Inflation Man Modi has once again unleashed the whip on the public today. Elections over — Modi’s extortion begins,” the Congress said in a statement.
The Aam Aadmi Party also criticised the move, with party leader Anurag Dhanda accusing the government of creating panic among ordinary citizens.
“The Modi government has put the entire country in a state of panic. People are concerned and angry after petrol, diesel and CNG price hikes. People are wondering whether the emergency PM Modi spoke about has arrived,” Dhanda said while also questioning the Prime Minister’s foreign tour during the crisis.
The All India Trinamool Congress warned that the latest fuel price increase could be only the beginning of a larger inflation wave.
“While our ‘beloved’ PM Modi ji jets off on yet another lavish foreign tour, his ‘pyaare deshwasiyo’ are left behind to bear the burden of soaring prices and endless hardship,” the party wrote in a social media post.
Communist Party leader P. Sandosh Kumar claimed more price hikes may follow and argued that the country’s economy was under severe pressure.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, however, mounted an aggressive defence of the Centre’s decision, arguing that India has managed the global oil crisis better than most countries despite crude prices crossing the $100 per barrel mark.
Senior BJP leader Amit Malviya said India witnessed the “smallest material increase” in fuel prices among major economies during the ongoing West Asia conflict.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the government by saying state-run oil companies had absorbed massive losses for weeks to protect consumers from sharper inflation.
“This is governance with responsibility. This is leadership that puts people first,” Rijiju wrote on X.
West Bengal BJP leader Dilip Ghosh also backed the Centre, claiming that despite global war conditions and rising crude oil prices, India had managed to limit the increase compared to several other countries.
The political battle over fuel prices is expected to intensify further as rising transportation and commodity costs begin affecting household budgets across the country.
