Telangana Congress leaders have reacted sharply to the hike in prices of petrol and diesel on Friday (May 15, 2026). Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president and MLC B. Mahesh Kumar Goud has strongly criticised the Union Government for once again raising the prices, calling it an additional burden on the common people.

In a statement issued here on Friday (May 15, 2026), Mr. Goud expressed anger over the hike, noting that citizens are already struggling with rising costs of essential commodities, cooking gas, and electricity. “Instead of providing relief, the (Narendra) Modi government is breaking the backbone of ordinary people,” he said.

He pointed out that international crude oil prices have declined, yet the Centre has failed to pass on the benefit to consumers. The increase in fuel prices, he warned, will escalate transportation costs and trigger a rise in prices of all goods, ultimately hurting the poor and middle classes.

Mr. Goud accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government of ignoring welfare promises made during elections and focusing instead on policies that benefit corporate houses. He alleged that the Centre is more concerned with tax collection than public welfare.

Demanding immediate relief, the TPCC chief urged the Union Government to reduce petrol and diesel prices to ease the burden on citizens.

The State Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has accused the BJP-led Union Government of deceiving citizens by raising petrol and diesel prices immediately after elections. He said the Centre deliberately held back hikes until polls in four states concluded, only to burden people once voting ended.

Mr. Prabhakar noted that even before new Chief Ministers took oath, fuel prices were raised, which impacts ordinary citizens especially in Telangana. He criticised Union Ministers Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay for repeatedly assuring the public that prices would not rise.

He recalled how Prime Minister Narendra Modi once mocked the UPA for minor fuel hikes, yet has now imposed steep increases. “The government is citing war and stock issues, but these excuses don’t hold. People are being crushed under rising costs,” he said. The Congress Party, he added, will collectively oppose the hike and demand accountability from BJP leaders.

Nagarkurnool MP Mallu Ravitermed the fuel price hike a betrayal of public trust immediately after elections. Dr. Ravi accused the Modi-led BJP government of “punishing citizens while protecting oil companies,” arguing that relief was denied even when global crude prices fell. “The government behaves like a business entity, not a welfare State,” he said, adding that the hike exposes its “anti-middle class and anti-poor character.”

He warned that rising fuel costs will directly impact agriculture, transport, and food prices, hitting Telangana’s rural economy hardest. “Every household will feel the burden — from kitchens to marketplaces,” he noted.

Demanding an immediate rollback, Dr. Ravi said governance cannot be based on “privatised profits and socialised suffering.” He urged the Centre to stop treating citizens as revenue sources and provide genuine relief.