Siddaramaiah cites excise duty hike on fuel, mocks BJP for their campaign on price rise

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday took a dig at the Opposition BJP for launching a campaign on a day the Centre hiked the excise duty on petrol and diesel.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has exposed the hypocrisy of the so-called ‘Janaakrosha Yatre’ launched by BJP leaders in Karnataka, by himself increasing the prices of petrol, diesel, and cooking gas. He has, in effect, confirmed the truth we've been saying all along — that these price hikes are the direct result of the Union Government’s anti-people economic policies," the CM said in a statement.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), however, clarified that the raise in excise duty would not alter the retail prices of petrol and diesel, and they will sell at retail rates as before.


"I would like to know what the BJP leaders in Karnataka have to say about the fresh hike in excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹2, and the ₹50 increase in the price of a cooking gas cylinder. Even though crude oil prices are falling in the international market, the Union Government continues to raise fuel prices. BJP leaders owe the people of Karnataka an explanation," Siddaramaiah said.

Anyone with basic economic knowledge understands that the consistent rise in petrol, diesel, and cooking gas prices is the root cause behind the increase in the cost of essentials — from rice, pulses, fish, meat, vegetables to hotel food, he said. "Yet, BJP leaders are trying to shift the blame onto us. But now, Prime Minister Modi himself has exposed their bluff."

Effective April 1, the Congress regime in Karnataka hiked the sales tax on diesel increasing the pump prices of diesel by Rs 2 per litre.

Siddaramaiah, however, said the BJP leaders, "who have embarked on this so-called ‘Janaakrosha Yatre’ now have only two options: either pressure the Prime Minister to roll back the price hikes, or end their farce and return home. If they choose to continue this drama, they will surely face the real anger of the people."