BELAGAVI: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched a scathing attack against the Centre, blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the rising prices of petrol, diesel, LPG cylinders, rice, gold, and other goods. He accused the Centre of ignoring issues such as unemployment and inflation, while misleading people with lies. He stated that the BJP’s ‘Janakrosh Yatra’ (public outrage rally) is actually provoking public anger.
The chief minister emphasised that the Congress government has introduced five guarantee schemes to help people suffering from rising prices of essentials. He accused the BJP and its ally, the JDS, of criticising people-friendly initiatives of the ruling party, and trying to obstruct programmes aimed at benefiting the common people.
Siddaramaiah called the BJP shameless for blaming the Congress for rise in prices of various commodities, and said the price rise occurred only after the Centre hiked the prices of petrol, diesel, and LPG. “Despite the low price of crude oil in the international market, the BJP has been increasing the prices of petrol and diesel.
The prices of petrol and diesel were not increased by the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government before 2014, in spite of higher crude oil rates in the international market. The people should know the truth, as to who is responsible for price rise today. They should also be aware of who is cheating and taking them for a ride,” he alleged.
Hitting out at the BJP, Siddaramaiah further alleged that the saffron party would never unite people, but instead divide and destroy society. He accused BJP of sowing hatred in society, and added that it was always anti-farmer, anti-women, anti-OBC, and anti-backward classes. On the other hand, he claimed that the Congress always respected the Constitution.