New Delhi: Tamil Nadu’s newly appointed Chief Minister Vijay on Friday, for the first time after assuming office, targeted the BJP-led central government. He criticized the Centre’s move to increase petrol prices after the completion of assembly elections in five states.He demanded that the government withdraw the decision, calling it “unacceptable”, PTI reported. This comes after petrol and diesel prices were increased by Rs 3 per liter on Friday, amid the recent surge in global crude oil prices.The opposition, including the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, has criticized the move, saying, “It is the Modi government’s fault, the public will pay the price. The shock of Rs 3 has already come, the rest will be recovered in instalments.”The prices have increased 16 days after the completion of assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Fuel rates remained unchanged throughout the voting period despite a sharp rise in global oil prices due to the conflict in West Asia.Fuel prices remained largely unchanged from April 2022, except for a one-time cut of Rs 2 per liter on both petrol and diesel in March 2024 ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The last increase in rates was recorded in April 2022.