Petrol, diesel excise cut: Cong says govt ‘fooling people’ for Gujarat polls

Congress leaders launch offensive, say voters will not forget that government first raised excise duty 380%

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government reduced taxes on petrol and diesel to “fool” voters in Gujarat, leaders of the opposition Congress said on Wednesday, a day after fuel became cheaper by Rs 2 across the country.

A worker holds a fuel nozzle at a petrol pump in Hyderabad. The government cut basic excise duty on petrol and diesel as global oil prices sent retail fuel rates to a three-year high. (Reuters file photo)

“Modi government had increased excise duty on diesel from Rs 3.56 to Rs 17.33 and is now trying to fool people by reducing Rs 2 before Gujarat polls,” said senior Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia.

He said excise duty on petrol was increased to Rs 22 from just Rs 9.48 in 2014.

“The people will give befitting reply to the government for such unprecedented hikes.”

Fuel prices are at a three-year high, triggering anger at Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. The government had defended the higher excise duty earlier as crucial for social benefit programmes after rivals questioned the increase in taxes.

Modhwala’s party chief in Gujarat, Bharatsinh Solanki, also insisted that the people of the state will not get “swayed by such small mercies” and will “teach the BJP appropriate lesson for such unprecedented and anti-people” hikes since 2014.

Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also attacked the government. “Befooling people by Modinomics! 1st, BJP increased Central Excise 11 times in a row by ₹18.61. Now, seeking sham credit by mere ₹2 reduction,” he tweeted.