New Delhi, March 27 -- Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over its decision to slash excise duty on petrol and diesel, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "looting" the common public and giving it to big corporates.

Reacting to the move, Tagore alleged that the government had imposed excessive excise duties over time and was now attempting to project a rollback as relief amid West Asia tensions.

"This government has looted the ordinary people with ten rupees per litre, three rupees... these kinds of charges which they had put on excise and looted each Indian. And now, because of the rising oil prices across the globe, they are coming out saying they want to reduce it. Because the oil prices ...