Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], May 24 (ANI): AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday flagged long queues at petrol pumps in Gujarat and urged the Centre to purchase oil and gas from Russia and Iran at cheaper rates.

Speaking to reporters in Vadodara, Kejriwal expressed concern over the hike in prices of petrol and diesel amid the West Asia crisis.

The AAP chief said, 'I saw on social media that farmers across the country, and especially in Gujarat, are facing a lot of difficulty in getting diesel. There are long lines at petrol pumps. Petrol and diesel prices have also increased significantly. On the other hand, Russia and Iran are ready to provide us with oil and gas at cheap rates. The Indian government is not buying from them. I request the Indian government to purchase oil and gas from Russia and Iran at cheap rates so that the people of the country can get relief from the shortage of oil and gas and get relief from expensive oil and gas.'

Oil marketing companies (OMCs), Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, raised petrol prices by about Rs 4.74 per litre and diesel prices by about Rs 4.82 per litre through revisions on May 15, 19 and 23.

However, OMC sources told ANI on Thursday that there has been no reduction in crude oil supplies coming from Russia, and there is no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG in the country.

Meanwhile, during his visit to Vadodara for a roadshow in the city, Kejriwal also requested the Gujarat government to provide free bus service to NEET-UG aspirants appearing for a re-examination, to aid them in travelling.

He said that the AAP government in Punjab has announced free bus services for NEET aspirants.

'NEET students are depressed, stressed and very sad, but to help them a little, our Punjab government has announced that their bus fare will be waived on the day of the exam on the 21st. They can travel for free in any bus from their home to the exam centre and back. This has been the demand of many poor students. I also request the Gujarat government. The Gujarat government should also provide this help to the students appearing for the NEET exam, and all the buses in Gujarat should be free for those students on that day to make it easier for them,' AAP convenor said.

The Haryana government has also announced free roadways buses for aspirants. NEET-UG 2026, which was conducted on May 3 by the National Testing Agency (NTA), was cancelled on May 12 following allegations of a coordinated paper leak. The examination was held across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad at over 5,400 centres, with more than 22 lakh candidates appearing for the test.

The re-examination is scheduled for June 21. (ANI)