Puri slams Rahul Gandhi for ‘tank-up’ comment, says sales went up 20%
Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his comments asking consumers to tank up in preparation for an imminent hike in petrol and diesel prices, saying that one statement led to “hoarding” of 20 per cent fuel.
Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, Puri said consumption went up by 20 per cent following the comment.
Petrol and diesel prices hit the freeze button just as electioneering for five states including Uttar Pradesh picked up. The record 130-day freeze was despite the cost of raw material jumping from USD 81 per barrel to USD 130 per barrel.
