CPI Criticizes Government Over Inflationary Fuel Price Hikes

The Communist Party of India criticized the government for increasing fuel prices, describing it as anti-people. Secretary D Raja condemned the hikes, arguing it prioritizes corporate profits over public welfare, warns of rising inflation, and calls for nationwide protests against the economic policies.

The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Tuesday condemned the hikes in petrol and diesel prices as ''anti-people'' and accused the BJP-led central government of prioritising corporate interests over public welfare.

In a post on X, CPI general secretary D Raja criticised the government over the four fuel price hikes in the last ten days, as he warned of a rise in inflation and the economic burden on the general public.

''The continuous hike in petrol and diesel prices once again exposes the thoroughly anti-people and corporate-driven character of the Modi government,'' Raja said.

Fuel prices have risen by nearly Rs 8 per litre in recent days, pushing petrol prices in Delhi beyond Rs 102 per litre and over Rs 111 per litre in Mumbai.

The CPI leader argued that the hikes would have a cascading impact on the economy with increasing transportation costs, food prices, agricultural expenses, public transport fares and the overall cost of living.

''At a time when workers, farmers, salaried sections and the poor are already struggling with deepening economic distress, the government has chosen to further burden the people with relentless inflation,'' Raja said.

Rejecting the Centre's reported justification that price revisions were linked to losses faced by oil marketing companies, he claimed that public sector oil firms continue to post significant profits.

He cited January-March 2026 quarter profits of around Rs 14,458 crore for Indian Oil Corporation, Rs 4,902 crore for Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Rs 3,191 crore for Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.

''If oil companies are earning thousands of crores in profits, why are the benefits not being passed on to consumers?'' Raja asked.

He also criticised the government for attributing the current price rise to tensions in West Asia, saying the crisis could not be explained by geopolitical developments alone.

''The government is now hiding behind the West Asian conflict as a convenient excuse,'' Raja said, alleging that economic mismanagement, a weakening rupee and growing import dependence had also contributed to the situation.

Accusing the Centre of failing to provide relief from inflation and economic hardship, the CPI called for nationwide protests against the fuel price hike and the government's economic policies.

''The CPI strongly condemns these anti-people fuel price hikes and calls upon people across the country to organise protests and democratic resistance against the total failure of the Modi government and its policies that place corporate interests above the lives of the people,'' Raja said.

Over a period of 11 days, starting May 15, petrol prices have been increased by Rs 7.38 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 7.48 per litre, with some inter-city variation.