New Delhi: Amid a national debate over rising fuel prices triggered by the global energy crisis due to escalating tensions in West Asia, along with political attacks directed at the central government, state-wise fuel price data has highlighted significant disparities across India. BJP-governed states in northern and western India appear to be recording some of the lowest petrol retail prices in the country.

At the beginning of May this year, Gujarat emerged as one of the states with the most affordable petrol prices, with fuel retailing at around ₹94.3 per litre. This trend of relatively lower pricing is visible across several BJP-ruled states, where state-level Value Added Tax (VAT) remains comparatively lower than in many other parts of the country. Gujarat is followed closely by Uttar Pradesh at ₹94.7 per litre, Delhi at ₹94.8, and Haryana at ₹94.9.

Praising fuel prices in Gujarat, a social media user claimed that despite being a dry state, which limits revenue from liquor sales, the state has managed to keep fuel taxes relatively low, resulting in some of the cheapest petrol prices in the country.

AS FUEL PRICES WERE SPIKED AGAIN TODAY AND OPPOSITION GUNS FOR MODI WITH “MEHANGAI MAN” TAUNTS here’s a look at which state charges highest VAT on Petrol and Diesel. States with the highest pump prices are concentrated in the Congress-ruled and INDIA-bloc south (Telangana,… pic.twitter.com/CmsGuQt5rU

— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) May 19, 2026

Other BJP-ruled states also feature among regions with relatively affordable fuel prices, including Goa at ₹96.5 per litre and Assam at ₹97.1.

Meanwhile, the data also shows that BJP-governed states such as Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh fall into a comparatively higher price bracket due to higher VAT rates or recently imposed cesses. Petrol prices in these states stand at ₹105.2 and ₹106.6 per litre respectively.

Notably, Andhra Pradesh, governed by the TDP-led NDA alliance, remains among the states with the highest petrol prices, with rates touching ₹113 per litre.

The lower prices in these BJP-governed regions contrast with several southern states governed by Congress or INDIA bloc allies. Petrol prices in Telangana stand at ₹110.9 per litre, while Kerala records ₹107.5.

The figures indicate a noticeable regional variation in fuel pricing, with differences in state tax structures playing a major role in determining pump prices across the country. DeshGujarat