Hours after the Karnataka government hiked the sales tax on fuel, BJP state unit president B.Y. Vijayendra said the party will hold a state-wide protest on Monday (June 17) against the government's decision, which led to a rise in petrol and diesel prices.
Speaking to the media, the BJP state president said, "We urge the Chief Minister to withdraw this decision immediately. Tomorrow, we have organised protests across the state, and we will not keep quiet until the hike is revoked."
He added that protests would occur at all district headquarters.
Further, Vijayendra also accused the Chief Minister of increasing fuel prices due to an inability to start new programmes because of the five guarantees. He stated, "After the Lok Sabha elections, they (the Congress government) have increased fuel prices. This will affect all sections of people across the state."
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government's decision to hike sales tax on Saturday upped petrol prices by Rs 3 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 3.5 per litre.
Officials stated that the hike aims at resource mobilisation and was made by the Karnataka Chief Minister after reviewing the state's revenue generation and fiscal position.
Moreover, the fuel price increase came shortly after the conclusion of the Lok Sabha poll in 2024, which led to the NDA securing 19 out of 28 seats in Karnataka and curtailing the ruling Congress in the state with nine seats.
(With inputs from PTI)
READ MORE | Karnataka: Petrol, diesel prices likely to go up as state govt revises sales tax; BJP reacts
READ MORE | Karnataka: Three dead, four injured as truck collides with car in Chitradurga
