Mumbai: The political storm over rising fuel prices intensified in Maharashtra on Monday after petrol and diesel prices were hiked for the fourth time in the last 11 days, triggering sharp reactions from the Opposition and prompting the state government to appeal against panic buying and hoarding.

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Congress accuses Centre of looting

The Maharashtra Congress accused the Narendra Modi-led Centre of “looting” citizens through repeated fuel price hikes and demanded an immediate rollback. State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal claimed petrol and diesel prices had risen by nearly Rs 8 per litre in the past 11 days, further worsening inflation amid the ongoing Iran conflict.

Congress alleges tax collection figures

“If the government cannot control inflation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should step down,” Sapkal said while announcing statewide protests by Congress workers from Tuesday. He alleged that the BJP government was misleading people by blaming international tensions for the hikes and claimed the Centre had collected nearly Rs 43 lakh crore through taxes and excise duties on petroleum products over the last 12 years.

Petrol and diesel prices rose by Rs 2.61 to Rs 2.71 per litre on Monday as state-run oil companies passed on the impact of rising global crude oil prices to consumers.

Supriya Sule's attack on Centre

The NCP (SP) also attacked the Centre over the issue. Party working president and MP Supriya Sule said the latest increase was “just the beginning” and accused the government of failing to present the true picture regarding fuel availability and inflation.

Referring to statements made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and minister Chhagan Bhujbal on fuel stocks, Sule questioned the government’s planning and alleged that citizens were being kept in the dark. She also raised concerns over inflation, unemployment and rising household expenses.

Meanwhile, Fadnavis termed the rise in fuel prices a “global crisis” and appealed to citizens not to hoard petrol and diesel. He said international supply chain disruptions had created pressure across several countries and insisted there was no major shortage in Maharashtra.

The Chief Minister said panic buying had led to a nearly 20 per cent rise in fuel demand, creating pressure on supply chains and law-and-order concerns at some locations. He added that district collectors and police authorities had been instructed to strictly handle any untoward incidents.

At a high-level review meeting in Mumbai, Bhujbal also assured that there was no fuel scarcity in the state and urged oil companies to launch awareness campaigns against hoarding. According to official data reviewed during the meeting, diesel sales in Maharashtra surged by 52 per cent while petrol sales increased by 23 per cent amid fears of shortage. Statewide petrol consumption surged to 21,312 kilolitres on Monday against the normal daily average of 17,337 kilolitres. Diesel consumption saw a steeper climb, reaching 48,928 kilolitres compared to the May daily average of 32,252 kilolitres. Petrol sales rose by 44 per cent in Akola, 47 per cent in Buldhana, 49 per cent in Jalna and 43 per cent in Wardha, officials said.

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California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer defended transgender athletes competing in high school sports in a podcast posted on Sunday, arguing that excluding transgendered youth from athletics would worsen the emotional and mental health struggles many already face.

"I’m totally in favor of trans athletes in high school," Steyer told "I've Had It" podcast host Jennifer Welch.

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"When you understand the vulnerability, the stress, the danger of being a trans kid, and you understand almost half of them try to commit suicide, then you think, 'We’re gonna punish those kids, we’re gonna cut them off from team sport.' It’s like, no we’re not."

Steyer made similar remarks when speaking to CBS Los Angeles but also branded dissidents for perpetuating a "right-wing attempt" to smear transgender individuals.

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"To be clear, this is not some huge epidemic," he said. "This is a right-wing attempt to victimize and villainize already vulnerable and desperate people, and my heart completely goes out to the people who are so sad, feel so rejected, and so unaccepted that half of them would try to kill themselves."

Steyer is among a crowded field of Democrats vying to retain party control of the governorship once incumbent Gov. Gavin Newsom's term expires.

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Former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, former California State Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, former California State Controller Betty Yee and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond complete the list.

The remaining Democratic candidates echoed parts of Steyer’s position, with Porter arguing that youth sports are intended to build character and teamwork rather than simply determine who is best.

Becerra, when pressed on existing state law allowing students to participate in activities based on gender identity, urged that officials continue to protect certain classes in accordance with the law.

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Others offered more nuanced responses.

Mahan initially blasted those who use the issue as a "political lightning rod" to "score political points," but noted he could recognize unfairness if a biological male were playing soccer against his young daughter.

"That would be a conversation we would have, and I can imagine it being unfair," he said.

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"But I also think that we are allowing ourselves to devolve into using that as a litmus test that is actually about demonizing difference, dividing people, scoring political points, and I'm just not going to be a governor who allows vulnerable people to be a punching bag," he said. 

Villaraigosa dismissed the debate as a "non-issue," but said he opposes discrimination while stating his personal belief that biological males who have undergone puberty should not compete in women’s sports.

Yee stressed the need to identify ways to promote fairness while ensuring everyone is included, while Thurmond took a more definitive approach in supporting transgender athletes.

Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, meanwhile, support overturning existing legislation that enables the practice.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

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