Senior BJP leader R. Ashoka criticized Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for condemning fuel price increases, highlighting the state government’s tax hikes on petrol and diesel. Ashoka accused the Congress-led government of burdening citizens with rising fuel costs, emphasizing the impact of tax raises on fuel prices since May 2023.
He pointed out that the Karnataka government under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had significantly raised petrol and diesel prices through sales tax hikes, making diesel over Rs 5.5 per litre more expensive due to state-imposed taxes. Ashoka questioned the government’s decision to increase fuel prices and criticized its fiscal strategy of using fuel as a revenue source to manage financial challenges.
Comparing the actions of the Centre and the state, Ashoka noted the differences in handling fuel taxes, with the Union government ensuring no impact on consumers during duty adjustments. In contrast, he highlighted how state tax increases directly affected consumers, urging accountability and tangible relief for the public instead of what he termed as “tax-and-blame politics.”
