Bengaluru, March 28: Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has alleged that the central government will increase fuel prices immediately after the elections, describing the government’s current stance on fuel pricing as an electoral tactic. Speaking to the media at the KPCC office and later at his residence, Shivakumar stated, “As soon as the elections are over, the central government will hike petrol and diesel prices again. They have done this before. This is all part of their electoral strategy.”
He further criticized the central government for collecting an additional ₹1,000 crore daily in taxes, questioning where this money is going. “When fuel prices were previously raised, we launched the ‘100 Not Out’ campaign. Now, they are conducting a trial run to benefit their preferred companies,” he added.
Shivakumar referenced the global rise in crude oil prices but accused the central government of failing to ensure adequate supply of gas cylinders to consumers in the state. He questioned, “Two ships passed through the Hormuz Strait and came to the country. Couldn’t one of them have been sent to South Karnataka and Tamil Nadu? Why did they go to Gujarat? They are treating South India with disdain because they have no influence here.”
He also criticized the central government’s messaging regarding fuel prices, stating, “Previously, there were hoardings at all petrol pumps showing a Muslim woman thanking the government for providing gas. Why have all those been removed? The central government is robbing consumers every day.”
Shivakumar raised concerns about the continuous rise in fuel prices since May 26, 2014, when petrol was priced at ₹71 and diesel at ₹56, now reaching ₹103. “Why were prices so high even when crude oil prices were low?” he questioned.
When asked about the central government’s recent reduction in special additional excise duty on fuel, he remarked, “The Indian government is hurting us. They have only reduced prices for the elections. The Naira company has increased fuel prices.”
Regarding whether the state government would reduce fuel prices, Shivakumar replied, “We will talk about that later.”
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
