Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Union government over the continuous rise in petrol and diesel prices, calling it a “fuel loot” targeting the common people. Speaking in Bengaluru, Surjewala claimed petrol prices had crossed ₹110 per litre for the first time in 78 years after independence and accused the BJP of carrying out a “₹57 lakh crore loot” over the last 12 years. He alleged that repeated fuel price hikes were severely impacting salaried employees, farmers, homemakers, businessmen, and small businesses across the country. Surjewala said the last 11 days had been “catastrophic” for household budgets as fuel prices were revised upward four times during this period.The Congress leader further accused the BJP government of “defrauding Kannadigas” and said the continued increase in petrol and diesel prices was back-breaking for the middle class and economically weaker sections. His remarks come amid growing political attacks over rising inflation and increasing transportation costs linked to fuel prices.