Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday mocked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his claim that petrol and diesel prices have risen, saying the increase was evident—not in India, but in neighbouring Pakistan.
He said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has defied global trends of fuel shortages, work-from-home disruptions, and “soaring prices,” with the government ensuring steady availability of petroleum products despite the West Asia conflict.
Addressing a poll rally here ahead of the April 9 Assembly elections, the senior BJP leader also pledged to work towards a developed Puducherry if the NDA secures a two-thirds majority.
The ruling AINRC-BJP combine is seeking a successive term in the coming polls.
Shah said Rahul Gandhi, at a recent public meeting in this union territory, had said that "due to the Gulf war, petrol prices have gone up in India.
"He is right. Petrol costs Rs 458, while diesel has gone up to Rs 520. But Rahul... that has happened not in India, but Pakistan," Shah said.
On the contrary, prices have been stable in the country and there is no shortage of petroleum products
Recently, after an unprecedented surge in fuel prices triggered severe backlash, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced slashing the petrol price.
Taking a dig at the opposition INDIA bloc, he said the CPI, CPI (M) have already left the alliance in the UT, while the DMK and Congress were fighting each other in five seats in the polls. The NDA, on the other hand, was united, he said.