Centre reduced excise duty on petrol, diesel keeping polls in mind, alleges D K Shivakumar

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Friday that the central government's decision to cut excise duty on petrol and diesel was keeping upcoming elections in mind.

The government has slashed excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre each, a move aimed at shielding domestic consumers from a surge in global oil prices triggered by the Middle East conflict, at an estimated revenue cost of Rs 1.75 lakh crore.

Also read: Retail petrol, diesel prices won't change after Rs 10/litre tax cut, government says


Alongside, the government brought back duties on export of diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF).

"The Government of India is murdering us...they are doing it for the election. The Nayara company has already increased the prices. We will throw light on this issue to the people of the state," Shivakumar told reporters here in response to a question.

Asked if the state government will take any measures to bring down the prices, he said, "We will talk about it later."

The 2026 Assembly elections are set to take place across four states -- Assam, Keralam, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, and one Union Territory, Puducherry. There are also bypolls in several states, including for two assembly constituencies in Karnataka.