Bhatkal: The Union Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been criticized for continuously increasing the prices of essential commodities, including petrol, diesel, and gas, over the past several years. Despite this, the BJP, which remained silent and did not oppose these price hikes by the Central government, is now raising a state-wide uproar against the Congress government in Karnataka due to a slight increase in fuel prices.

As part of this protest, the BJP organized demonstrations where a motor car was tied to a rope and pulled on the road to protest the hike in petrol and diesel prices by the state Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Protesters demanded the withdrawal of the price hike and presented a memorandum to the Governor through the Assistant Commissioner of Bhatkal.

The memorandum stated that the sudden increase in petrol and diesel prices by the state government has burdened motor vehicle owners and will impact the prices of essential commodities, causing problems for the common man. It claimed that the price increase was intended to raise funds for implementing the state government’s guarantee schemes. The memorandum requested the Governor to instruct the state government to withdraw the oil price increase in the interest of the people.

It also mentioned that no development works have been undertaken since the Congress government came to power and criticized the government for considering guarantee schemes as development plans. The BJP alleged that the law and order situation in the state is deteriorating, with an increase in incidents such as murder, robbery, and illegal activities, all of which need to be curbed.

During the protest, the National Highway was briefly blocked at Shamsuddin Circle. Former MLA Sunil Naik, BJP leaders Govind Naik, Shrikant Naik, Mahila Morcha district president Shivani Shanta Ram, and others addressed the protesters, accusing the Congress government of corruption, looting the public exchequer, and acting against public interest. Assistant Commissioner Dr. Naina reached the spot and received the memorandum from the protesters.

The slight increase in petrol and diesel tax by the state Congress government has provided the BJP with an opportunity to launch a public protest against the government, which it intends to fully exploit.