Telangana Transport Minister Alleges Centre Timed Fuel Price Hike After Elections

Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has accused the BJP-led Central government of deliberately timing a fuel price increase to coincide with the conclusion of elections across four states and one Union Territory.

Speaking to journalists in Hyderabad on Friday, Prabhakar contended that the Centre had strategically postponed raising petrol and diesel prices until the electoral process was complete. He argued that the timing of the announcement, which came immediately after voting ended, has imposed fresh hardship on ordinary citizens, particularly those in Telangana.

The minister pointed to statements made by Union Ministers G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar, who he said had repeatedly given public assurances that fuel prices would remain unchanged. Prabhakar alleged that the Narendra Modi government subsequently approved the increase despite these commitments.

Prabhakar also referenced Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Hyderabad, where Modi had urged citizens to curtail fuel consumption and avoid unnecessary expenditure on petroleum products and gold. The Transport Minister interpreted these remarks as a signal of the Centre's plan to implement substantial fuel price increases.

Challenging the government's justification that global conflict conditions necessitated the move, Prabhakar noted that international tensions have persisted for an extended period and do not represent a sudden development.

The Congress party, represented through Prabhakar, has pledged strong opposition to the fuel price hike. The minister has called on BJP leadership to address the matter and seek public forgiveness for the decision.