Published May 25, 2026 | 12:23 PM ⚊ Updated May 25, 2026 | 12:23 PM
Congress leaders, Siddaramaiah, Randeep Singh Surjewala, and DK Shivakumar, during the press conference.
Synopsis: The Congress questioned the BJP-led Union government over the unprecedented increase in fuel prices. Randeep Surjewala said the massive price hikes of petrol, diesel, LPG and other fuels are causing distress to the common man. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, who also spoke at the press conference, echoed the same views.
The Congress on Monday, 25 May, questioned the BJP-led Union government over the unprecedented increase in fuel prices. In a press conference conducted in Bengaluru, Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala said the massive price hikes of petrol, diesel, LPG and other fuels are causing distress to the common man.
While comparing the fuel prices before 2104 and the current prices, he said India has never seen such high prices for fuel.
“Over the last 12 years, the Union BJP government has executed what can only be described as a ₹57 lakh crore loot of both the public and the financial institutions of India. Look at what has transpired over the last 11 days alone. It has been nothing short of catastrophic for the household budgets of the salaried class, our farmers, small traders, businessmen, and homemakers. The BJP government has unleashed an unpardonable fuel tax terror, raising the prices of petrol and diesel four separate times in just 11 days. They have pocketed an extra ₹7.52 per litre in less than two weeks,” he said.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, who also spoke at the press conference, echoed the same views.
They demanded a rollback of the increased prices and warned of protests in case of inaction.
Also Read: Union government hikes petrol, diesel prices again; fourth increase in two weeks
Surjewala claimed that over the past 12 years, by artificially keeping fuel prices sky-high, this government has extracted ₹43 lakh crore directly from the pockets of citizens.
“When the chief minister and I sat down to look at the math, even he was shocked. This government is collecting ₹1,000 crore every single day from housewives, labourers, auto drivers, and salaried employees. That is how you reach ₹43 lakh crore,” he said.
“The Modi government has systematically hollowed out the emergency reserve funds of the Reserve Bank of India — funds meant strictly to safeguard our nation during extreme financial crises. Just two days ago, on 23 May, the government siphoned off ₹2,87,000 crore from the RBI. Over the last 12 years, they have taken a staggering ₹14 lakh crore from the central bank. Combined, the ₹43 lakh crore from fuel and the ₹14 lakh crore from the RBI equal the ₹57 lakh crore plunder we are exposing today,” he added.
Pointing to the high fuel prices, Surjewal asked, “In the 78-year history of independent India, petrol has never crossed the ₹110 mark in Bengaluru. What is a small auto driver or a salaried employee supposed to do?”
“In May 2014, diesel was ₹56.71 per litre. Today, it stands at ₹98.89 per litre, just a hair’s breadth away from ₹100. Consider the compounding effect this has on transport costs for our vegetable sellers, fruit vendors, and grain merchants. When diesel goes up, the price of everything goes up. Even citizens who switched to CNG for relief have been targeted. CNG prices were hiked by ₹4 per kg over the last 11 days, crossing the ₹90 mark for the first time in history to sit at ₹90.10 per kg,” he said.
“A domestic gas cylinder cost ₹412 in 2014. Today, it costs ₹915.50—a massive increase. For commercial cylinders, the price has crossed ₹3,075, driven up by five separate hikes between March 1st and today. Even the 5kg “Chotu” cylinder, which they marketed to our mothers and sisters with great pomp, has seen a price hike of ₹261,” he added.
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Surjewala noted that during the UPA rule between 2004 and 2014, fuel prices remained stable even when crude oil prices rose to $108, adding that crude oil prices are far lower now.
“During the Congress-led UPA government between 2004 and 2014, international crude oil was expensive, averaging $108 per barrel. Yet, we shielded the consumer. Over the last 12 years of the Modi government, international crude oil has been significantly cheaper, averaging $70 per barrel—nearly $38 cheaper per barrel. Even with current market fluctuations putting crude at $98.6 today, it is still cheaper than it was under the UPA,” he said.
“The exact same story applies to liquid gas. In 2013–14, the international price of LPG was $880 per metric ton. Throughout the BJP’s tenure, it has averaged $542 per metric ton. International gas prices have plummeted, yet domestic cylinder prices have more than doubled from ₹412 to ₹915.50,” he added.
Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Karnataka BJP leaders, he asked, “I pose this question directly to Mr. Modi, Mr. Yediyurappa, Mr. Vijayendra, and Mr. R. Ashoka: Tell the brothers and sisters of Karnataka, when global raw material prices are lower than they were a decade ago, what is your justification for hammering the public with four price hikes in 11 days?”
“There is no logic here. There is only greed and economic mismanagement,” Surjewal added.
