Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday criticised the Centre after petrol and diesel prices were increased for the second time in five days, alleging that the burden of rising fuel costs was being shifted on to the common people, while the government protected corporate interests.The remarks came after state-run oil companies raised petrol prices by around 90 paise per litre across major cities, while diesel prices also saw a similar increase. Fuel prices had already been raised by Rs 3 per litre last week.Reacting to the latest hike, Kharge alleged that the Modi government had first “set the stage” by speaking about savings and later shifted the burden of its failures onto the public through repeated increases in fuel prices.Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress chief alleged that the government was “robbing common people” while protecting industrialist Gautam Adani.Kharge also referred to India’s purchase of Russian oil and alleged that the Centre had sought a one-month extension from the United States to continue imports. He claimed that such a move hurt the country’s dignity and said no previous government had “stooped to this level”.Questioning the fresh fuel price hike, Kharge asked why petrol and diesel prices were being increased if the government itself claimed India had received approval to continue buying Russian oil.He further alleged that the BJP lacked foresight and leadership. The ruling party remained occupied with elections when the crisis was deepening and later came up with “a plan for loot”, he said.The Congress leader also accused the Prime Minister of focusing on publicity abroad instead of answering public concerns over inflation, petrol prices and diesel prices.In an apparent swipe at the Prime Minister’s public appearances, Kharge said people were not interested in “how mangoes are eaten or which tonic is consumed” and instead wanted answers on what the government was doing to deal with the crisis.Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal said, “As predicted, the Modi government is raising fuel prices in instalments. This is the second hike in a week itself, and we have no clarity on how much more the common public will need to suffer. All over India, petrol pumps are seeing massive queues and there is widespread panic about our energy situation.”“The Centre is supposed to steer the ship in this difficult moment, but instead PM Modi is gallivanting across the world and the Finance Minister is nowhere to be seen,” he added.He further said, “Just as we defied US sanctions in 2013, we must again take control of our energy sovereignty and not allow others to dictate critical choices. We demand a clear action plan from the government, or else the day is not far when the people and the Opposition will rise up on the streets against this mayhem.”