Congress hits out at centre over petrol prices

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari wondered whether the central government would qualify for the label of "economic terrorist", a phrase he said was enumerated by a former BJP spokesperson for the UPA government when the latter raised petrol prices in 2008.

He argued that the crude oil prices fell by over 50 per cent between May 2014 and September 2017, and asked why were the petrol and diesel prices raised by over 50 per cent during this period.

"Modi government is ripping the common man. Don't they qualify better for the label of 'economic terrorists'," Tewari told reporters here.

He said during UPA-1, the crude oil prices were at a record USD 120 per barrel and said a BJP spokesperson at the time used the words "economic terrorists" against the UPA.

The Congress leader said since May 26, 2014, international crude oil prices have come down by more than 52 per cent.

"On May 26, 2014, crude oil was prevailing at USD 108.05 a barrel and on September 11, 2017, crude oil prices came down to USD 52.73 a barrel.

"But, the price of diesel in Mumbai was Rs 55.49 per litre in May 2014 and the same today is Rs 62.37 per litre.

The petrol price in Mumbai in May 2014 was Rs 71.41 per litre and today it is Rs 79.48 per litre.

"At the prevailing prices of crude oil, diesel should have been at Rs 28.85 per litre and petrol at Rs 37.13 per litre," he said.

He also hit out at the rise in kerosene and LPG prices.

Taking on Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Tewari said either the minister did not understand his brief or was "deliberately trying to mislead" people of the country.