New Delhi

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latest fuel price hike and alleged preferential treatment to industrialist Gautam Adani, accusing the BJP-led government of lacking “foresight and leadership”.

The criticism came after petrol and diesel prices were increased by around 90 paise per litre on Tuesday, marking the second fuel price hike in less than a week after state-run oil companies ended a nearly four-year freeze on revisions.

In a post on X, Kharge alleged that the government was burdening ordinary citizens while allowing corporate interests to benefit.

“Robbing the common people and giving Adani a free pass from America — this is Modiji’s compromised model,” the Congress chief said.

Kharge was referring to reports that the US Department of Justice had dropped criminal charges against Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani in a securities and wire fraud case in New York after prosecutors reportedly concluded that the allegations could not be sustained.

The Congress leader also targeted the Centre over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil amid global geopolitical tensions and sanctions-related uncertainties.

Referring to the US sanctions waiver linked to Russian crude purchases, Kharge claimed that Modi had sought an extension from Washington to continue oil imports, alleging that such moves hurt India’s global standing.

He questioned why fuel prices were being raised despite the government maintaining that it had secured permission to continue importing Russian oil.

“I repeat once again — there is a lack of foresight and leadership in the BJP,” Kharge said.

A temporary US sanctions waiver allowing the sale and delivery of Russian seaborne crude expired on May 16 before being extended a few days later. The waiver was originally introduced to stabilise global energy markets amid disruptions caused by the ongoing West Asia conflict.

However, a senior petroleum ministry official had stated on Monday that India continued to buy Russian oil based on commercial viability and energy security considerations, irrespective of sanctions waivers.

Addressing reporters later, Kharge said the prices of petrol, diesel, LPG and fertilisers were all increasing, adding that the government had failed to anticipate the economic fallout of the global crisis.

“The value of the rupee is continuously falling and may soon touch 100 against the dollar,” he claimed.

He further alleged that despite the prime minister’s frequent foreign visits, the government had not clearly informed the public about investment outcomes or agreements signed during those trips.

READ MORE: Dr Sofia Banu’s mission to make science serve society

Kharge said the government should acknowledge its economic shortcomings and work collectively to address the challenges facing the country.