Cong accuses Modi govt of 'fuel loot', demands rollback of price hike

The Congress in Karnataka demanded a rollback of the fuel price hike, citing the Centre's decision to raise petrol and diesel prices despite a decline in crude oil prices.

Demanding that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre and the BJP stop ''fuel loot,'' the ruling Congress in Karnataka on Monday demanded a rollback of the fuel price hike.

Addressing a joint press conference AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar questioned why the Centre is raising the price of petrol and diesel when the price of crude oil is going down.

Petrol and diesel prices were raised by Rs 2.61-2.71 per litre on Monday, marking the fourth increase in less than two weeks as state-owned fuel retailers continued to pass on rising international oil prices to consumers.

Surjewala said that petrol crossed Rs 110 for the first time in Bengaluru, after 78 years of independence.