Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, intensified salvos against the government over the hikes in fuel prices, warning that an “economic storm is on the way”.
Addressing journalists
in Rae Bareli — his Lok Sabha constituency — Gandhi alleged “tough times” are coming for the country’s economy, which will impact the common man.
“I have been saying this for a few days now that Modi ji has changed the economic structure. An economic storm is on the way. Their Adani-Ambani structure will not last much longer; it will collapse. What is unfortunate is that the common man will suffer,” he said, as quoted by Times of India.
The Congress MP targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging inaction over the current economic situation in the wake of the war in West Asia and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
“The economic shock will not impact Adani, Ambani, and Modi; it will deeply affect the common man. It will be unprecedented. Tough times are coming. Instead of taking action, Narendra Modi is asking people not to undertake foreign trips, while he himself is on a world tour,” Gandhi said, according to TOI.
Fuel Prices Hiked Again
On Tuesday, prices of petrol and diesel saw a surge of about 90 paise per litre, marking a second hike in less than a week amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
In the national capital, petrol prices were increased to Rs 98.64 per litre, while diesel prices rose to Rs 91.58 per litre.
On May 15, the Centre announced hikes in the prices of petrol, diesel, and CNG. While the price of petrol was hiked by Rs 3.14 per litre, diesel prices surged by Rs 3.11 per litre.
The cost of CNG saw a jump of Rs 2, followed by a hike of Rs 1 per kg on May 17. With the recent hikes, the cost of fuel stands at its highest since 2022.
In addition, global crude prices have increased more than 50 per cent since the U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28 and the subsequent retaliation by Tehran, which saw the blockade of the vital Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy supplies.
