Bengaluru, May 18 -- Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday criticised the Centre over the recent fuel price hike, alleging that prices were increased after elections to avoid an electoral setback and claiming that inflation was affecting the poor.

Speaking to reporters, Kharge said the timing of the fuel price increase reflected a lack of foresight on the part of the BJP-led government.

"Had PM Modi increased this before elections, it would have been understandable, because he knew doing this would have been a major setback. Therefore, the prices of everything were increased after the elections. This shows that the BJP government and Modi ji lacked foresight," Kharge said.

Kharge further said the Congress would raise...