Electioneering at its peak but diesel sales slide, petrol almost flat

India's diesel sales dropped in early May, while petrol consumption remained steady despite peak election campaigns, according to state-owned firms' preliminary data. Petrol sales in the first half of May were nearly unchanged from last year, at 1.367 million tonnes. Diesel sales fell by 1.1% to 3.28 million tonnes, continuing declines seen in previous months. Despite factors like electioneering and reduced fuel prices, diesel demand has not increased. Jet fuel sales rose year-on-year, but cooking gas LPG sales slightly declined.