Karnataka BJP has staged a 'cycle jatha' in various locations across the state to protest the state government's hike in fuel rates. Workers in Bengaluru were detained midway, calling the detention unconstitutional. The party accused the government of suppressing protests and urged the people to revolt against the government.
Karnataka BJP on Thursday took out a ‘ cycle jatha ’ in various locations across the state in protest of state government hiking fuel rates, days after the party had protested the issue with a bullock cart rally in Bengaluru’s Freedom Park.
BJP workers in Bengaluru, under state party president BY Vijayendra’s leadership, had planned to cycle from the party’s state office Jagannath Bhavan to the state secretariat Vidhana Soudha, when they were detained by the police midway.
Calling the detention unconstitutional, the party took to social media platform X, posting under the hashtag ‘PickPocketSarkara.
’ “The government has shown its anti-constitutional policy by suppressing protests in a democratic system.
The time is near when the people of the country will revolt against the government,” the party said.
Petrol prices have been increased by Rs 3 per litre, reaching Rs 102.84 in Bengaluru from last week, up from the previous rate of Rs 99.84. Similarly, diesel prices have increased by Rs 3.02 per litre, now costing Rs 88.95, up from Rs 85.93. The Congress regime insisted that the hike was necessary to fund the state’s guarantee programmes.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah put the blame on what he called the “Centre’s restrictive GST policy,” saying the state government had very few means to mobilise resources for its own development projects.
The fuel rates, he added, were still lower than NDA-ruled neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Vijayendra, however, accused the CM of ignoring the plight of the people in his own state.
“The party has tried to warn the state government, but this adamant government is not even thinking about rolling back the price hike.
The Chief Minister is citing higher prices in neighbouring states, but our state is in distress, farmers are in distress, due to drought.
In such a situation the decision to put more burden on the common man is an unpardonable sin,” he said.
The leader also pointed out that the government has hinted at a potential hike in bus fares and water rates, saying, “This government has become a curse to the people of the state.
” Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday had said the water rates in Bengaluru had remained steady for the past decade while the water utility body was operating at a loss.
“I have asked the officials to examine the issue.
We will put the facts in the public domain and then we will take the decision,” he said.