New Delhi: Smriti Irani was caught off guard when questioned about the rise in fuel prices today on a flight from Delhi to Guwahati. Her interrogator was Netta D'Souza, the acting chief of the Congress women's wing.
Later, she tweeted a video of the encounter where the minister is also seen recording it on her cell phone.
She also tagged the minister in her tweet, which read: "Faced Modi Minister @smritiirani ji, enroute to Guwahati. When asked about Unbearable Rising Prices of LPG, she blamed Vaccines, Raashan & even the poor! Do watch the video excerpts, on how she reacted to common people's misery!"
While the passengers were deboarding the flight, the Congress leader questioned Ms Irani. Ms Irani initially claimed that the Congress leader was "blocking the way".
She is heard saying "please don't lie" when asked about the shortage of cooking gas and "stoves without gas". Later, she says that she is being "accosted".
Petrol price has been hiked 14 times in 16 days, increasing price by rupees10 a liter. A liter of petrol now costs Rs. 105.41 in Delhi, while diesel is sold for Rs. 96.67 a liter.
Mumbai has the highest fuel prices of the four metros, retailing petrol at 120.51 per liter and diesel at 104.77 per liter.
In spite of the spike in crude oil prices, fuel rates have remained constant for over four months. Opposition parties have claimed that it is a poll tactic of the BJP, which retained all four states where elections recently were held.
According to Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the price increase in India was only 5 per cent, compared with prices that have gone up by 50 per cent in countries such as the US, the UK, Canada, Germany, and Sri Lanka.
After the war, petrol prices were relatively low in India, he said.