Congress MPs stage protest against price rise in Parliament complex

"Rahul Gandhi ji had said the Modi government will increase prices after elections in five states... They have increased prices of petrol, diesel, cooking gas... even kerosene which is used by the poor costs more now," Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said.

Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said prices have increased in "an exorbitant manner", making fuel out of reach for common people.

"Taking advantage of the necessity of the common people, the government has been relentlessly imposing the excise duty and other taxes on the common people. Already, each and every consumer product has been witnessing a severe hiking, but, this, I mean, further increasing, the prices of petrol and diesel will simply add fuel to the fire, fire means inflation," he said.

Opposition MPs also staged protests in both Houses of Parliament, forcing adjournments in Rajya Sabha as well as Lok Sabha during the question hour.

Petrol and diesel prices were hiked by 80 paise per litre for a second straight day on Wednesday.

In Delhi, petrol now costs Rs 97.01 per litre and diesel Rs 88.27.