Congress leaders ride a horse cart in New Delhi on Friday as part of a nationwide protest against rising petroleum prices.

The Congress on Friday protested against the rising prices of petroleum products at petrol pumps across the country, barring a few districts that are still under complete lockdown.

Expressing outrage at petrol breaching the Rs 100 mark despite the low prices of crude in the international market, Congress leaders accused the Narendra Modi government of looting the common man.

They said the government had amassed lakhs of crores of rupees in taxes on petroleum products over the past seven years.

Most senior leaders and elected representatives of the Congress participated in the protest.

The party demanded rollback of the excise duty hike and the passing on of the benefits of reduced international crude oil prices to consumers. They also demanded that petrol and diesel be brought under the GST.

Except Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat where police cracked down on protesters, Congress leaders claimed it was an effective show throughout the country.

The party also ran a social media campaign under the hashtag ‘BJPLootingIndia’. Leaders posted video messages highlighting the sufferings caused to the people and farmers on account of rising prices.