New Delhi [India], May 23 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday launched a sharp critique of the Central government over the third consecutive rise in petrol and diesel prices.

In a self-made video on 'X', the AAP leader termed the development as a 'slow poison' for the common people of the country, while claiming a future increase in both petrol and LPG rates.

'Today, again, the Indian government has increased the prices of petrol and diesel. In the last 10-15 days, they have increased the prices for the third time. In English, there is a saying, they are giving slow poison. In the last 10-15 days, the prices of petrol and diesel have increased by 4 to 5 rupees per litre. The prices of gas cylinders have also increased a lot. People are finding it difficult to run their homes. Till now, people are so scared. They are in shock. People don't know how much they are going to increase in the coming days. There are rumours all around. Now, it will increase a lot. It will increase a lot. It will go to 150 rupees. I don't know how much it will go,' said Kejriwal.

Kejriwal further highlighted the 'chaos' across the country and slammed the government's 'inaction' to handle the situation.

He stated that the country's people are in shock due to the repeated rise in petrol prices, while highlighting the problems faced by people to get diesel and petrol in states including Gujarat and Maharashtra.

'The government is not saying anything. Ask the government. The government is not saying anything. There, the prices are not only increasing. There is chaos all around the country. For petrol, for gas, for diesel. Look at this picture of Gujarat. There are long lines of tractors on the petrol pumps. They are not getting diesel. There is chaos all around. Look at this picture of Gorakhpur, UP. People are sleeping on the streets at night. People are sleeping on the streets at night with their gas cylinders. Look at this picture of Maharashtra. Look at this picture of Akola and Buldhana. There is chaos all around to get petrol and diesel. The government should tell us what will happen in the coming days. The situation is going to get worse. The government is not telling anything to the people,' said Kejriwal.

He further alleged that the government has denied buying oil from Russia and Iran despite both countries selling it at cheaper rates. Kejriwal also called for a joint movement, saying that the country belongs to its people, not the politicians of any party.

'And there, Russia and Iran both are saying that they are ready to give oil and gas to India at low prices. The government of India is saying that they will not take it. Why will they not take it? I want to know from you. Should the government of India take oil and gas from Russia and Iran at low prices or not? This is our country, not the country of politicians or any party. We are a country of 140 crore people. If we raise our voice together, the government will have to listen to the people of this country,' said Kejriwal.

Earlier in the day, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices were increased by Rs 1 per kg with effect from Saturday, reportedly issued by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), adding to the commuting burden for users of CNG-powered vehicles. The latest revision comes alongside fresh hikes in petrol and diesel prices across major metropolitan cities.

The latest revision also pushed petrol and diesel prices higher in all four metros. In Delhi, petrol rose by 87 paise to Rs 99.51 per litre from Rs 98.64, leaving it just 49 paise short of the Rs 100 mark. Diesel in the capital is up 91 paise to Rs 92.49 per litre from Rs 91.58.

Kolkata recorded one of the steepest hikes, with petrol up 94 paise to Rs 110.64 per litre and diesel up 95 paise to Rs 97.02 per litre. Mumbai saw petrol increase 90 paise to Rs 108.49 per litre and diesel rise 94 paise to Rs 95.02 per litre. In Chennai, petrol moved up 82 paise to Rs 105.31 per litre while diesel increased 87 paise to Rs 96.98 per litre, sources said. (ANI)