Rahul Gandhi Blames PM Modi for Rising Fuel Prices Amid Middle East Conflict
In a recent statement, Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the increase in fuel prices, linking it to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He claimed that the public is suffering due to the government's errors, with a ₹3 hike already implemented and more to come. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge supported this view, highlighting a leadership crisis within the Modi administration as a key factor in the economic turmoil. The Congress party has consistently called for benefits from low international oil prices to be passed on to consumers, which has not occurred. This article delves into the implications of these rising costs and the political responses surrounding them.
| May 15, 2026, 14:45 IST
Opposition Leader Critiques Government's Handling of Fuel Prices
On Friday, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, held Prime Minister Narendra Modi accountable for the recent surge in fuel prices, which he attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In a post on X, Gandhi stated that the public is suffering due to the government's missteps, asserting that the increase in petrol and diesel prices, which he termed as extortion, would be implemented in phases.
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Gandhi emphasized that the mistakes made by the Modi administration would ultimately be paid for by the citizens, noting that a ₹3 increase has already occurred. He warned that further collections would follow in installments. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed these sentiments, claiming that the fuel crisis, along with the economic turmoil in India, stems from a lack of leadership and foresight within the Modi government. Kharge urged the public to recognize that the current international fuel crisis is exacerbated by the government's inability to lead effectively and its pervasive incompetence.
He asserted that this crisis has been created by the Modi administration, forcing citizens to bear the financial burden of rising petrol, diesel, and LPG prices. Party General Secretary Jairam Ramesh remarked that when global crude oil prices were low, the Modi government failed to pass on the benefits to consumers, instead exploiting them. On Friday, government oil companies adjusted fuel prices for the first time in four years, raising the cost of both petrol and diesel by ₹3 per liter.
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Ramesh posted on X, stating that for years, when international oil prices were low or declining, the Indian National Congress consistently demanded that these savings be passed on to Indian consumers through reduced domestic prices for gas, petrol, and diesel. However, this did not happen, and consumers were left to bear the brunt of the costs.
गलती मोदी सरकार की,
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 15, 2026
कीमत जनता चुकाएगी।
₹3 का झटका आ चुका,
बाकी वसूली क़िस्तों में की जाएगी।