Chennai, May 11 -- Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) spokesperson TKS Elangovan on Monday criticised the Centre following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent 'seven appeals' to counter the ongoing West Asia crisis and alleged that the government was planning to increase petrol prices.

Speaking to ANI, Elangovan said it was the responsibility of the government to ensure fuel availability and alleged that pressure from US President Donald Trump had led to the stoppage of crude oil purchases from Russia.

"The government's role is to provide petrol... They are planning to increase the prices... Under pressure from Trump, they have stopped the purchase of crude oil from Russia. That is the reason for this crisis," Elangovan said.

The DMK le...