Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayanaid said the high price of diesel would increase transport charges, which would in turn increase prices of essential commodities. File | Photo credit: The Hindu
Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday (May 15, 2026) termed the fuel price hike initiated by the Central government as a “betrayal of public welfare”.
A member of the Political Bureau of the CPI(M) said in a statement here that by significantly increasing the prices of petrol and diesel, the Center has further hurt the people who were already reeling under the cost of living crisis.
Petrol and Diesel Prices Rise LIVE Update – May 15, 2026
He said the high price of diesel would increase freight charges, which would in turn increase the prices of basic commodities. Commuters would have to pay more for daily travel and dollar inflation could spiral out of control, he added.
Mr. Vijayan said the Center used the rise in oil prices due to the West Asian crisis to fool the common people, who would acutely feel the bite of the fuel hike. In contrast, the Center has failed to pass on the benefits of decades of low oil prices to the people.
His statement highlighted that the “flawed” increase in cooking gas prices had dealt a serious blow to the economy, stretched household budgets and crippled the hotel and restaurant industry.
Mr. Vijayan further said that instead of mitigating the effects of rising oil prices, the Center has made the common working class people take bribe.
He said unskilled workers, office workers, lower-income families, farmers and laborers would feel the pain of the fuel price hike acutely, while the ruling class seemed least concerned.
Published – 15 May 2026 10:44 IST
