Russia, Iran Are Ready To Provide Cheap Oil To India, But Central Govt Is Refusing To Buy It: Arvind Kejriwal

With petrol and diesel prices increased for the third time in the last 15 days, fuel rates have risen by nearly ₹4 to ₹5 per litre while gas cylinder prices have also sharply increased across the country.

Amid fuel shortages and long queues at petrol pumps in several states, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal targeted the central government over rising prices and the worsening fuel crisis, calling it out for subjecting people to "slow poison" through repeated hikes.

Questioning why the Centre was refusing import of cheaper oil and gas offers from Russia and Iran, the AAP Chief appealed to citizens to share through comments and direct messages whether India should purchase fuel from the two countries at lower prices.

AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal shared a video on social media platform 'X' and said, "Today once again, the Government of India has increased the prices of petrol and diesel. This is the third increase in the last 10 to 15 days. The government is giving people 'slow poison.' In the last 10 to 15 days, petrol and diesel prices have increased by nearly ₹4 to ₹5 per litre. The prices of gas cylinders have also risen sharply."

He elaborated, "People are finding it difficult to run their households. People are so scared and shocked that they do not know how much more the government is going to increase petrol and diesel prices in the coming days. Rumours are spreading everywhere that prices will rise much further, that petrol may reach ₹150. Nobody knows how high it will go. When people ask the government, the government says nothing."

Arvind Kejriwal said, "Not only are prices rising in the country, but there is now also a shortage of petrol, gas and diesel across India. Pictures are coming from Gujarat showing long queues of tractors at petrol pumps because diesel is unavailable. In many places, scuffles are breaking out among people. In Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, people are sleeping on the roads at night."

"To get their gas cylinders filled, people are standing in long queues and sleeping on the roadside through the night under mosquito nets. In Akola and Buldhana in Maharashtra, there is chaos over getting petrol and diesel. The people of this country want the government to clearly explain what is going to happen in the coming days and how bad the situation is going to become. But the government is not telling people anything," he revealed.

The AAP Chief further said, "Both Russia and Iran are saying that they are ready to provide oil and gas to India at cheaper prices, but the Government of India is saying that it will not buy from them. Why will it not buy? I want to ask the people of the country whether the Government of India should buy cheaper oil and gas from Russia and Iran or not."

Arvind Kejriwal asserted, "This country belongs to all of us, not to these leaders or any political party. This is a nation of 140 crore people. If we raise our voices together, the government will have to listen to the people of this country. I want people to send me their views through the comment box or DM and tell me whether the Government of India should purchase cheaper oil and gas from Iran and Russia or not."