Union Petroleum and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan has blamed Covid-19 pandemic and decrease in oil production for rising fuel prices. Meanwhile, opposition parties are accusing the government of 'profiteering' off 'people’s misery' and demanded a rollback of the increase in prices. Madhya Pradesh Congress on February 20 called for state wide bandh for half day to show their anguish over surging fuel prices in the country. Congress workers flew black balloons and showed pamphlets to attract Centre’s attention over the issue Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said, ‘Central Excise duty should be slashed immediately.’ Congress leader PC Sharma was detained during the protest.