Siddaramaiah Defends Fuel Price Hike, Denies Link to Election Results
By : Gururaj A Paniyadi
Update: 2024-06-16 19:43 GMT
VIJAYAPURA: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended the recent hike in petrol and diesel prices, asserting that the increase is unrelated to the election outcomes. Speaking to reporters in Vijayapura, Siddaramaiah addressed accusations from Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, who claimed the price hike was a retaliatory move following the Congress's performance in the recent parliamentary elections.
“The hike in petrol and diesel prices has nothing to do with the election results. On April 11, 2021, petrol was taxed at 35% and diesel at 24%. When the central government reduced these taxes, the then state government followed suit. However, states like Kerala, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu did not reduce their taxes. Currently, petrol in Karnataka costs ₹102 after the hike, which is comparable to Tamil Nadu. In Kerala's Kasargod, it is ₹106.66, in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur it is ₹109.44, in Hyderabad, it is ₹107.40, and in Maharashtra, it is ₹104.46. Compared to these states, our rate is lower," he explained.
Commenting on the election results, Siddaramaiah noted, "In Karnataka, we did not secure as many seats as we expected, but we have increased our number of seats compared to the last elections. We won nine seats this time, while the BJP dropped from 25 seats last time to 19. We have not obtained as many seats as we anticipated."
Siddaramaiah further criticized the BJP, stating, "The BJP is the party that lost the elections, dropping from 303 seats last time to 240 this time. The Modi wave has diminished."
Siddaramaiah also addressed rumors about the state's guarantees being election-focused. "The guarantees have been given for the benefit of the poor, not for elections," he clarified, emphasizing that the implementation of these guarantees is intended to support the underprivileged segments of the population.
Commenting on the election results, Siddaramaiah noted, "In Karnataka, we did not secure as many seats as we expected, but we have increased our number of seats compared to the last elections. We won nine seats this time, while the BJP dropped from 25 seats last time to 19. We have not obtained as many seats as we anticipated."
Siddaramaiah further criticized the BJP, stating, "The BJP is the party that lost the elections, dropping from 303 seats last time to 240 this time. The Modi wave has diminished."
Siddaramaiah also addressed rumors about the state's guarantees being election-focused. "The guarantees have been given for the benefit of the poor, not for elections," he clarified, emphasizing that the implementation of these guarantees is intended to support the underprivileged segments of the population.