Spokesperson: Shri Pawan Khera: Chairman of the AICC Media and Publicity Department Shri Pawan Khera launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi-led government over rising inflation, weakening economic indicators and policy failures, rejecting the Centre’s claim that global geopolitical tensions were primarily responsible for the current economic challenges. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was trying to attribute the economic crisis to ongoing international conflicts, but claimed that the Indian economy had already been under stress for several years.

On fuel inflation, Shri Pawan Khera noted that petrol prices had risen by 38 per cent and diesel prices by 62 per cent over the past 12 years. Questioning the government’s explanation of global factors, he asked what wars or international crises existed when fuel prices were already increasing domestically.

Referring to the previous UPA government led by Manmohan Singh, Shri Khera said that crude oil prices had remained more than USD 100 per barrel during that period, yet petrol and diesel prices did not cross Rs. 70 per litre. In contrast, he noted that under the present government, fuel prices remained near Rs. 100 per litre even when crude oil prices were around USD 50 per barrel. He said that the Centre had collected nearly Rs. 43 lakh crore through taxes and excise duties on petroleum products over the last 12 years. He disclosed that recent increases in fuel prices enabled oil companies to earn Rs. 12,400 crore within hours.

The Congress leader also highlighted rising household expenses, stating that the price of an LPG cylinder had increased from Rs. 414 in 2014 to Rs. 915 currently. He said that prices of milk, bread and eating out had also risen significantly, affecting common citizens. Wednesday, May 20, 2026