Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 28: The Karnataka BJP has launched a scathing attack on the state government over rising taxes and commodity prices, accusing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of misleading the public. The party has announced a statewide protest against the price hikes, with demonstrations scheduled to take place after the Ugadi festival.

Leader of the opposition R Ashoka, addressing the media in Bengaluru, alleged that while the state budget did not introduce new taxes, the government had adopted a hidden approach, leading to a post-budget rise in tax rates and essential commodities. He claimed that milk prices had increased three times since the Congress government took office, amounting to a Rs 9 hike, yet farmers had not benefited from it, and their incentives remained unpaid despite promises in the party’s manifesto.

Ashoka criticized the budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, calling it deceptive. He remarked that the government should have transparently announced tax hikes in the budget instead of implementing them afterward to gain public and media approval.

Highlighting the impact of rising electricity and fuel prices, Ashoka stated that these increases have led to a surge in the cost of essential goods, worsening the financial burden on the common man. He also questioned the effectiveness of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, arguing that the Rs 2,000 assistance offered under it was insufficient to offset the overall rise in living expenses. Furthermore, he accused the government of wasting Rs 150 crore on the Guarantee Implementation Committee, alleging that it served the interests of Congress workers rather than the public.

Ashoka also criticized the government’s decision to increase taxes ahead of the Ugadi festival, including a hike in milk prices, an essential item during the celebrations. He took a dig at minister for cooperation K N Rajanna for his response to the price hike, alleging that his remark about the government not having currency-printing machines reflected arrogance.

The opposition leader further accused the government of neglecting crucial infrastructure projects. He pointed out that no new reservoirs or dams had been built in the past 20 months, and the Mekedatu project remained stalled. In Bengaluru, he highlighted the imposition of a green cess on garbage collection and the increase in service charges at government hospitals, arguing that these measures had turned ‘Brand Bengaluru’ into ‘Expensive Bengaluru.’

Ashoka also dismissed the government’s defense of the electricity tariff hike, which it attributed to a court order, comparing it to a misleading justification.

Targeting deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar, Ashoka criticized his recent statement that a water tariff hike was inevitable. He accused the government of prioritizing political alliances over Karnataka’s interests, pointing out that while Siddaramaiah was raising commodity prices, Shivakumar was declaring unavoidable water tariff increases. Ashoka further alleged that instead of advocating for Karnataka’s water rights, Shivakumar was focused on strengthening ties with Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin in Chennai, missing an opportunity to push for resolving Tamil Nadu’s objections to the Mekedatu project.

The BJP has vowed to intensify its protests across the state in the coming weeks, demanding relief for the people from the burden of rising costs.