Fuel Price Hike Sparks Outrage: BJD and Congress Demand Immediate Action

In Bhubaneswar, the BJD and Congress have united in protest against a recent fuel price hike, demanding an immediate rollback. The opposition parties accuse the ruling BJP of hypocrisy regarding its previous stance on GST for fuel. Demonstrations included symbolic actions by women activists, highlighting the financial burden on consumers. As tensions rise, the political landscape in Odisha is heating up over this contentious issue.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 15, 2026, 22:40 IST

Protests Erupt Over Rising Fuel Costs in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: On Friday, both the BJD and Congress parties voiced their strong opposition to the recent fuel price increase, demanding an immediate reversal of the hike. They accused the ruling BJP of hypocrisy regarding the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on fuel.

The Congress women's wing organized a protest near a fuel station in Bhubaneswar, expressing their discontent over the Rs 3 per litre rise in petrol and diesel prices.

BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty criticized the BJP for its inconsistent stance, recalling that the party had previously advocated for petrol and diesel to be included under GST while in opposition, but has since changed its position after gaining power.

"The BJP must fulfill its previous promises and bring fuel under GST by eliminating VAT. They are misleading the public with their current approach," he stated.

The BJD further claimed that despite a drop in international crude oil prices below USD 60 per barrel, fuel prices remained high, allowing oil companies to reap substantial profits at consumers' expense.

"Now, with rising crude oil prices, the BJP government has increased fuel costs by Rs 3 per litre to safeguard oil companies' profits, revealing the true nature of the BJP," they alleged.

Ipsita Sahu, president of the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal, questioned the Centre's reluctance to pursue cheaper fuel imports from Russia, asking what pressures were influencing this decision.

In a separate demonstration, Mahila Congress members marched from their state headquarters to a fuel station in the Unit-2 area, demanding a rollback of the price hikes for petrol, diesel, commercial LPG, and CNG.

As part of their protest, women activists showcased two-wheelers without petrol to symbolize the financial strain caused by escalating fuel prices.

District Mahila Congress president Shriya Mohanty remarked that the fuel price increase revealed the true character of the BJP government, recalling that during the Manmohan Singh administration in 2014, diesel was priced at Rs 55 per litre and petrol at Rs 70 per litre.