Opposition leaders on Tuesday, 19 May launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the latest revision in petrol and diesel prices, accusing the government of systematically burdening ordinary citizens amid a global crude oil surge driven by escalating tensions in the Gulf region. The criticism came hours after state-run oil marketing companies raised fuel prices for the second time in under a week.

Following the latest revision, petrol prices rose by 86 paise per litre and diesel by 83 paise per litre, compounding inflationary pressure on household budgets across the country.

Congress Fires First

Senior Indian National Congress leader Pramod Tiwari accused the government of misleading citizens while repeatedly hiking fuel costs. “The Prime Minister appeals to everyone not to travel abroad, but himself goes to little-known countries to receive an award… This is just a trailer. Earlier, they increased by ₹3; now they have increased more, and they will continue to do this… This is being done to loot the citizens,” he said.

Congress leader Husain Dalwai alleged that the government was deliberately raising prices in phases to blunt public reaction. “They are gradually raising prices every day. Prices will be increased ‘step by step’. They have already stated this. They will administer a slow-acting injection to the people, leaving them to die,” Dalwai said.

BJD Flags Gulf Crisis, Calls for GST Reform

Sasmit Patra of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) linked the domestic price surge directly to the ongoing Gulf crisis, noting that approximately 60 per cent of India’s gas supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that disruptions there would continue to push up domestic fuel costs.

Patra noted that fuel prices had already climbed by around ₹3.5 to ₹4 in recent days and urged that petroleum products be brought under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime to offer consumers structured relief. “This price rise will put a heavy burden on the common people and household budgets. That is why I recently wrote a letter to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, proposing that petroleum products should be brought under the GST regime,” he said.

Congress's Lallu Cites Queues and Shortages

Congress leader Ajay Kumar Lallu broadened the attack, alleging that citizens were already facing severe economic strain from inflation and supply shortages, and that neither the Centre nor state governments had offered meaningful relief. “People are standing in queues for everything — oil, gas or fertilisers. Every section of society is suffering. Then there is the problem of inflation, too,” Lallu said.

Context and What Comes Next

This comes amid a broader global energy market disruption, with international crude oil prices spiking on fears of supply chain disruptions linked to the Gulf tensions. India, which imports a significant share of its crude requirements, remains exposed to such price swings. The Opposition’s call to bring petroleum under GST is not new — it has been a recurring demand from multiple quarters for years, though the Centre has yet to act on it. With another potential revision not ruled out by oil marketing companies, household fuel costs could climb further in the near term.