Maharashtra Congress Legislative Party Leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Thursday, 28 May warned that India could face a lockdown-like situation in the coming days, citing reports that diesel is being distributed only after verification of a vehicle's Registration Certificate (RC) book. Speaking in Nagpur, Wadettiwar launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, accusing it of masking failures on inflation, unemployment, and fuel prices through what he called 'religious polarisation, event-mongering, and emotional tactics'.

Fuel Shortage and Price Alarm

'Diesel is now being rationed and distributed only after checking the vehicle's RC book. Don't farmers rely on diesel for agricultural work? The current trajectory indicates that the country could face a lockdown-like situation in the coming days,' Wadettiwar said.

He further alleged that petrol prices could surge to ₹170 per litre and diesel to ₹150 per litre in the near future. 'The middle class, farmers, and ordinary citizens will be completely crushed. We are already seeing a reduction in flight frequencies, and the fuel shortage is worsening. The government has actively pushed the country into an economic abyss,' he remarked.

Allegations of Communal Diversion

Wadettiwar alleged that instead of addressing fuel prices and farmers' grievances, the ruling party is 'deliberately orchestrating Hindu-Muslim conflicts to create societal divisions.' He also accused ministers of making insensitive remarks in violation of their oath of office, and argued that the government's actions on the ground contradict its stated commitment to the Constitution.

Maratha Reservation Row

Turning to the Maratha reservation issue, Wadettiwar took aim at the government's handling of protests led by Manoj Jarange Patil. 'Manoj Jarange Patil has been protesting continuously, but the government is doing nothing more than blowing smoke with hollow promises. Government Resolutions (GRs) are issued, but they are never implemented. This government has absolutely nothing left to offer the public,' he stated.

NCP (SP) Demands VAT Waiver

Separately, senior Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader and former State Finance Minister Jayantrao Patil wrote an official letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging the Maharashtra government to immediately waive the Value Added Tax (VAT) and surcharges on petrol and diesel in the interest of the public.

Patil cited the ongoing conflict in Gulf countries as a key driver of economic strain on both India and Maharashtra. 'Inflation has skyrocketed; the prices of edible oil, vegetables, and essential commodities have witnessed a massive surge, directly impacting the common man. To make matters worse, the skyrocketing prices of petrol and diesel are adding fuel to the fire,' Patil noted in his letter.

With opposition pressure mounting from multiple fronts, the Maharashtra government faces growing demands to act on fuel relief before the economic strain deepens further.