Every Vote Cast For Bjp Will Be Vote For Expensive Petrol & Diesel: Harpal Singh Cheema

May25,2026 | Jagrati Lahar Bureau | Chandigarh

BJP Govt has abandoned middle class, pushing nation into economic crisis: Harpal Singh Cheema

PM Modi ignoring 140 crore people, busy abroad sharing "toffees" while people suffer inflation at home: Harpal Singh Cheema

Modi Government’s anti-Farmer & anti-People policies are pushing country towards economic slavery: Kuldeep Dhaliwal

What achievements BJP has left to seek votes in Punjab's local body elections: Baltej Pannu

Expensive diesel ahead of paddy season will deepen farmers’ distress: Pawan Tinu

CHANDIGARH / AMRITSAR / JALANDHAR; 25th May 2026:

Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders including Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, attacked the BJP-led Central Government over the repeated hike in petrol and diesel prices over the last 10 days. They said petrol and diesel have become nearly ₹8 per litre costlier after four consecutive hikes, pushing farmers, transporters, traders and middle-class families into deeper financial distress.

They revealed that while inflation continues to rise, the Modi Government is burdening ordinary people to benefit big corporate houses. The leaders said the diesel price hike during the paddy sowing season will directly hit farmers and further increase the cost of transportation and essential commodities across the country.

On this, addressing a press conference, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “The Centre’s continuous increase in petrol and diesel prices over the past few days has exposed the BJP Government’s inability to control inflation and protect people from economic hardship.”

He continued, “The repeated hikes in fuel prices between May 15 and May 25 have created an alarming situation across the country. Petrol prices were increased by ₹3.29 per litre on May 15, followed by another increase of ₹0.96 on May 19, ₹0.94 on May 23 and a further steep hike of ₹2.87 per litre on May 25. In just ten days, petrol prices have been increased by ₹8.06 per litre. This clearly shows the anti-people mindset of the BJP Government, which is continuously squeezing the common man instead of providing relief.”

Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Diesel prices were increased by ₹3.11 per litre on May 15, followed by hikes of ₹0.94 on May 19, ₹0.95 on May 23 and another increase of ₹2.80 per litre on May 25. Diesel prices have also risen by nearly ₹8 per litre within ten days. Farmers, transporters, labourers and traders are being crushed under this manufactured fuel price burden.”

“The sharp rise in diesel prices has especially affected farmers at a crucial time when the paddy sowing season is underway. Farmers depend heavily on diesel for tractors and agricultural operations. At a time when they need support, the BJP Government is increasing their financial burden and pushing them towards deeper distress,” he added.

The Finance Minister further said, “The inflation crisis is not limited to petrol and diesel alone. Commercial LPG prices have reportedly increased by 48% to 75% in the past month, while aviation fuel prices have gone up by nearly 25%. These increases are making transportation, travel and essential services more expensive for traders, businesses and ordinary citizens alike. The Centre is deliberately shifting the entire burden of inflation onto ordinary people while benefiting a handful of large corporate houses. The BJP Government is not only failing the economy, it is actively working against small traders, farmers, employees and the middle class while favouring big corporate interests.”

Harpal Singh Cheema said, “The BJP’s slogan of ‘Bahut hui mehngai ki maar’ now stands completely exposed before the country. The Prime Minister is frequently occupied with foreign visits while people in the country are struggling with rising prices and economic hardship. India’s 140 crore people elected the Prime Minister to serve the nation, not to ignore domestic suffering. The Central Government must immediately intervene to control fuel prices and provide relief to farmers, workers, traders and the middle class. Continued negligence and anti people economic policies will further push the country towards economic distress and instability.”

Meanwhile, AAP Punjab’s Chief Spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said, “I had already warned about the rise in petrol and diesel prices, which is now proving to be true. The Central Government’s international trade policies and decisions aimed at benefiting big corporate houses are the real reasons behind expensive fuel prices for the people of the country.

He asserted, “While farmers are only given a marginal increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops, diesel prices have been hiked significantly, further increasing the cost of farming. Rising fuel prices will directly impact the cost of vegetables, essential commodities and transportation, placing an even greater financial burden on ordinary and middle class families.”

In the context of the upcoming Municipal Corporation and Municipal Council elections, he said, “The public has now understood the policies of the BJP and will give a fitting reply in the elections. BJP leaders talk about reducing VAT, but they do not reveal how heavily the Central Government has taxed fuel. It is because of the policies of oil companies and the Central Government that the public is being burdened with additional economic pressure.”

On the other hand, AAP Punjab State Media In-Charge Baltej Pannu launched a sharp attack on the BJP over the skyrocketing prices of petrol and diesel. He said that the BJP has once again given the people of the country a cruel gift of inflation today. The Central Government has once again increased diesel prices by ₹2.71 and petrol prices by ₹2.61 per litre.

Expressing surprise, he continued, “Within just the last 10 days, petrol and diesel prices have already been increased by more than ₹7.50 per litre. These anti-people policies of the BJP are not only proving fatal for our farmers but are also breaking the backbone of the business community. Today, every common man in the country is crushed under the burden of this inflation.”

Targeting Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar, Baltej Pannu questioned on what basis Jakhar Sahib is seeking votes for the BJP in the municipal corporation elections. He should answer the people of Punjab and the country as to what achievement he has to show after increasing petrol and diesel prices by ₹7.50 in the past few days, on the basis of which he is going among the people of Punjab. The people of Punjab clearly understand this betrayal and will show BJP its rightful place in the elections against this exploitation.

He emphasised, “Punjab is directly connected to agriculture and the paddy season is about to begin in the state. Imposing such a heavy burden of diesel and petrol price hike on farmers just before this crucial time is a well-planned conspiracy of the Central Government. This act of BJP is exactly like authoritarianism, just as the Central Government earlier brought the 3 black farm laws. The people of Punjab will never tolerate this ruthless mentality of the BJP to economically ruin farmers.”

AAP leader and Adampur Halka in-charge Pawan Tinu said, “When the BJP was in opposition, even a slight increase in petrol and diesel prices used to lead to big protests, but now despite continuous price hikes, the silence of BJP leaders is beyond understanding. In the last ten days, there has been a significant increase in the prices of petrol and diesel.”

He continued, “Along with this, the increase in prices of commercial gas cylinders has pushed inflation to its peak. Inflation has broken the backbone of the common man. Everyday essential commodities are becoming more expensive, and middle class and poor families are being affected the most.”

Pawan Tinu said, “The sowing of paddy is going to begin in the month of June and during this time farmers require diesel. The increase in diesel prices will significantly raise the cost of farming, which will directly impact the income of farmers. Farmers are already suffering economic slowdown and losses because of the policies of the Central Government, and in such a situation rising fuel prices have become a new problem for them.”

He also targeted BJP leaders Ravneet Singh Bittu, Ashwani Sharma and Sunil Jakhar. He stated, “Earlier these leaders used to speak on every issue, but as soon as petrol and diesel prices started rising, not a single word came out of their mouths. Immediately after the West Bengal elections ended, the Central Government imposed the burden of inflation on the public. The BJP believes that the common people of the country are in its pocket and it can impose any kind of financial burden on the public. The BJP is adopting every possible tactic to benefit big corporate houses, while the common people are continuously facing an economic crisis.”

Pawan Tinu said, “Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections are going to be held in Punjab on May 26. The public should give a strong response to the BJP in these elections and express their democratic verdict against inflation and anti people policies.”

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