Fuel price anti-people, says BJP; to continue protests in Karnataka till rollback

BENGALURU: Seizing the opportunity presented by the govt’s decision to hike fuel prices by Rs 3 a litre, opposition BJP staged statewide demonstrations on Monday, demanding an immediate rollback.
Protests were held at all district headquarters, with demonstrators using bullock carts and pulling cars with ropes to symbolise their disapproval.
In Bengaluru, state BJP president BY Vijayendra led a protest at Freedom Park and vowed that the “struggle” will continue until the hike is reversed.Describing the increase as “anti-people”, he said it was BJP’s responsibility as the opposition party to ensure justice for “poor people, farmers, and the common man”.
“When [Basavaraj] Bommai headed the previous BJP govt, Karnataka was revenue surplus,” Vijayen- dra said. “From such a good position, the state today is facing a crisis. On one side, there is corruption, on the other, there is a funds crunch. In between, people are suffering.”
‘No funds for development’
He also recalled remarks by Congress legislator from Muddebihal, CS Nadagouda to substantiate his claims. “Nadagouda had said that after Congress came to the helm, no funds for development had been released. He said he has lost interest in politics. The Congress MLA said he would resign as MLA if the situation continued. This reflects the way governance is carried out under the Congress,” he said.
Vijayendra mocked chief minister Siddaramaiah, saying, “Mr Siddaramaiah, people from the poor and middle-class are suffering due to your decision to hike fuel prices. Siddaramaiah continues to dismiss the hike, claiming that taxes on fuel are lower compared to other states. I want to remind him of his remarks in September 2021, when he was leader of the opposition. He said Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin had reduced petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3. If Congress were in power, we would have reduced the price by at least Rs 10.”
He added: “Siddaramaiah is no longer concerned about the poor. The fuel price hike will also do injustice to farmers who are just recovering from drought. Bus fares, auto fares, daily rations, and vegetables will become costlier. This is highly condemnable.”
He claimed the govt increased fuel prices due to frustration over Congress’ single-digit tally in the Lok Sabha elections. He said several Congress MLAs were also miffed with the guarantee schemes.
‘Double standards’
Leader of the opposition, R Ashoka, accused Siddaramaiah of double standards and claimed the govt has no money to fund development works. Replaying an old video of Siddaramaiah, he said, “Siddaramaiah had opposed the hike in prices of petroleum products when he was in the opposition. Now, he is defending it.”
CT Ravi, now an MLC, also attacked Siddaramaiah, calling him “doublefaced”. “Before becoming CM, he said his govt would reduce fuel prices by Rs 10... Fuel prices have been hiked twice since he became CM... If they have money in their treasury, why have they increased the price of birth and death certificates, stamp duty, liquor tax, and electricity?” Ravi questioned. “The govt realised that stopping the guarantees would result in public outrage. But it has no money, so it hiked fuel prices.”