Gehlot slams fuel price hike, calls Centre ‘anti-poor, anti-middle class’

Jaipur: Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Friday criticised the BJP-led central govt over rising petrol and diesel prices, calling its policies "anti-poor and anti-middle class." He claimed that, despite lower international crude oil prices, the govt failed to alleviate the financial burden on citizens.

Gehlot noted that while the BJP previously attacked Congress for inflation and fuel price hikes, it has continued similar practices since assuming office. He highlighted that during the tenure of Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister, when crude oil prices peaked at $115-$120 per barrel, fuel prices were not as high as now, even with current prices dropping to nearly $60.

Gehlot referenced Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's prior warning of post-election fuel price increases, asserting that the public understood the govt's intentions to raise prices despite previous conservation appeals. Additionally, he accused the Centre of reducing states’ shares in excise duty collections through policies that limit states' income.