Modi government filling pockets of its friends: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on rising petrol, diesel prices

In a direct attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday (February 22) accused the Centre of emptying the pockets of the common man in order to fill the pockets of its friends.

Notably, the Congress has been slamming the Centre of looting people by imposing high taxes on petrol and diesel and has demanded that the government must rollback the high prices of petrol and diesel in order to peovide relief to the common man.

"When you see the fast moving meter while filling fuel in your car at the petrol pump, do remember that the crude oil rates have not risen but fallen. Petrol is at Rs 100 a litre. The Modi government is doing the great work of emptying your pockets and filling the pockets of its friends," the Congress leader tweeted in Hindi.

पेट्रोल पम्प पर गाड़ी में तेल डालते समय जब आपकी नज़र तेज़ी से बढ़ते मीटर पर पड़े, तब ये ज़रूर याद रखिएगा कि कच्चे तेल का दाम बढ़ा नहीं, बल्कि कम हुआ है।

पेट्रोल 100 रुपय/लीटर है।

आपकी जेब ख़ाली करके ‘मित्रों’ को देने का महान काम मोदी सरकार मुफ़्त में कर रही है!#FuelLootByBJP

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 22, 2021

It is to be noted that fuel prices have been rising for almost two weeks now, touching new highs every day. Amid the surge, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday told the reason behind the surge in prices.

"There are two main reasons behind the fuel price rise. The international market has reduced fuel production and manufacturing countries are producing less fuel to gain more profit. This is making the consumer countries suffer," Pradhan told news agency ANI during his visit to inspect the venue where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a rally in Assam`s Dhemaji on Monday.

He added, "We have continuously been urging the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC plus countries that it should not happen. We hope there will be a change."

Pradhan also defended the Centre's decision to levy taxes on petrol and diesel, saying that the central and state governments are doing development work in wake of COVID-19 pandemic, for which they collect taxes. He added that these projects also generate employment.