Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday slammed the Narendra Modi government over the issue of price rise, stating that the situation was nothing to joke about.

Rahul said he wished the Modi government was sensitive towards the common man’s plight. The Congress MP’s remarks came a day before Diwali, the festival of lights.

“It’s Diwali. Inflation is at its peak. It’s not a joke. I wish the Modi government was sensitive towards the common man.”

It may be noted that prices of almost all essential commodities are very high and fuel prices have touched their historic peak.

Cooking oil prices and vegetables prices are also at an unprecedented level, digging a hole in the common man’s pocket.

On Tuesday, another Congress leader, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, slammed the central government stating that ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ (75 years of India’s independence) will be remembered in history for the record high prices of petrol, diesel and LPG.

Gehlot took a jibe at the Centre and said the current level of inflation is Modi government’s Diwali gift to the citizens.

“Looking at the way the prices of petrol, diesel, LPG, edible oil and vegetables are increasing, it seems that the Modi government has given a Diwali gift of inflation to the people,” Gehlot said in a tweet.

“Earlier governments used to try to minimise inflation before festivals so that the common people could celebrate a festival with joy and happiness,” he added.

The Rajasthan CM pointed out that the price of petrol has jumped to Rs 116 per litre and that of diesel to Rs 108 per litre. The price of domestic LPG gas cylinder has also increased by Rs 305 from Rs 598 to Rs 903 in one year, he added.