Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar declared upcoming protests against the surge in fuel prices, scheduled for May 30 at all district headquarters in Karnataka. He emphasized plans to escalate the demonstrations to every Assembly constituency in the state. Shivakumar, alongside CM Siddaramaiah and AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, highlighted the aim to raise awareness among the public regarding the price hikes and urged citizens to take action against the ruling BJP government.
Shivakumar criticized the Prime Minister, accusing the BJP administration of trying to influence people’s lifestyles through public advisories. He questioned the government’s directives, such as discouraging the purchase of gold for weddings and regulating dietary habits. The Deputy Chief Minister also targeted BJP leaders in Karnataka, including R. Ashoka and B.Y. Vijayendra, criticizing them for requesting tax reductions from the state government while supporting the Centre’s price hikes on fuel.
Alleging that the BJP-led government amassed Rs 43 lakh crore in taxes on petroleum products over the past 12 years, Shivakumar pointed out the significant increase in petrol and diesel prices compared to previous years. He asserted that the Central government’s continuous price hikes were burdening the public and contrasted this with the Congress government’s efforts in Karnataka to alleviate financial pressures through various guarantee schemes. Shivakumar stressed the need for the Central government to reduce fuel taxes to ease the economic strain on citizens, citing the substantial daily tax collection and recent sharp price escalations in petrol and diesel.
