Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. File Image | Photo credit: The Hindu
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday (May 15, 2026) hit out at the Center over the hike in petrol and diesel, saying the public was paying the price for the Modi government’s mistake.
Watch petrol and diesel prices rise LIVE
His attack came after petrol and diesel prices rose by ₹3 a liter each, marking the first increase in more than four years, as state-owned fuel retailers passed on part of the hit from a surge in global oil prices triggered by the Iran war.
A post in Hindi on Gandhi said: “Ghalti Modi sarkaar ki, keemat janta chukayegi (Public will pay the price for Modi government’s mistake).”
“The Rs 3 shock has already arrived, the rest of the ‘vasooli (recovery)’ will be done piecemeal,” the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
CNG prices in cities like Delhi and Mumbai have gone up by Rs 2 per kg.
Petrol price in the national capital has been increased to ₹97.77 per liter from ₹94.77, while diesel now costs ₹90.67 against ₹87.67 per liter earlier, industry sources said.
Rates vary from state to state due to differences in value added tax.
Global oil prices have risen more than 50 percent since US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation that disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil supplies.
Despite a sharp rise in oil prices, retail fuel prices were left frozen in what the government said was an effort to protect price-sensitive consumers from higher global energy costs.
However, opposition parties saw political motives behind the move as key states went to the polls.
The hike in fuel prices followed the conclusion of elections and the expansion of the influence of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party after winning three of the five states, including West Bengal, where it came to power for the first time.
Gasoline and diesel prices are now the highest since May 2022.
Published – 15 May 2026 16:13 IST
