Congress accuses Modi of using petrol price as political tool, demands cut
New Delhi, May 20: The Congress on Sunday alleged that prices of petroleum products were being used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi "as a tool" to benefit BJP during elections and demanded that the prices should stay at least at the level that prevailed during the Karnataka assembly elections.
Talking to reporters here, Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said the price of petrol and diesel were at a record five-year high, and if the government can control price of petroleum products during Karnataka polls, it should do so around the year in the interest of people.
"If he (Modi) can control the price (of petrol and diesel) for his own interest during the polls in Karnataka, why can't he do it now and all year around in public interest? That means fuel prices is just a tool for him to get the benefit in elections.
"On behalf of the people of India, that at least control the price if you cannot reduce it. Modi should give priority to the interest of public over his political interests," he said.
State-run Indian Oil Corp on Sunday raised transport fuel to record highs in Delhi on the seventh day of resuming the daily price change system, following a temporary suspension that lasted 20 days.
The price of petrol in Delhi touched a record high of Rs 76.24 per liter under the dynamic pricing regime beating the previous high of Rs 76.06 in the city on September 14, 2013.
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Bhambri-Goransson's dream run at Indian Wells ends in semifinals
Indian Wells (USA) (PTI): Indian doubles ace Yuki Bhambri and his Swedish partner Andre Goransson's impressive campaign came to an end after losing in the semifinals of the Indian Wells Masters in California.
The unseeded pair went down 5-7, 7-6(7), 5-10 to France's Arthur Rinderknech and Monaco's Valentin Vacherot in a closely-fought contest that was decided by a tie-breaker.
Bhambri and Goransson started strongly but were edged out in the opening set.
The Indo-Swedish duo fought back to force a decider after clinching a tight second-set in the tie-breaker.
However, Rinderknech and Vacherot held their nerve in the deciding tie-breaker to seal the victory.
Despite the defeat, the tournament marked a significant milestone for the 33-year-old Indian as it was his maiden semifinal appearance at an ATP Masters 1000 event.
Earlier in the tournament, Bhambri and Goransson had produced a strong performance to reach the last-four, defeating the Austrian-Italian pair of Alexander Erler and Andrea Vavassori 6-3, 7-6(7).
Their run also ended a two-year wait for an Indian presence in the semifinals of a Masters 1000 tournament since Rohan Bopanna won the title at the Miami Open in 2024.
