Karnataka's ruling Indian National Congress on 25 May announced statewide protests against fuel price hikes, with demonstrations scheduled at all district headquarters on 30 May. Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar said the party would subsequently escalate the agitation to every Assembly constituency in Karnataka.

What Was Announced

Speaking at a joint press conference in Bengaluru alongside Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, Shivakumar said the protests would build public awareness about the impact of rising fuel costs. 'We will create awareness among the people against these price hikes. The people themselves must uproot this anti-people BJP government at the Centre,' he said.

Allegations Against the BJP-Led Centre

Shivakumar alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government had collected ₹43 lakh crore through taxes on petroleum products over the past 12 years. He further claimed that the Centre collects nearly ₹1,000 crore every day through fuel taxes alone, arguing that a reduction in these levies would meaningfully ease the burden on ordinary citizens.

On fuel prices, he said: 'During the UPA government, petrol was ₹71 and diesel ₹56. Today, they have reached ₹110 and ₹99 respectively.' He added that in the last 11 days alone, petrol and diesel prices had risen by ₹7.52, 'severely affecting ordinary citizens.'

Criticism of BJP Leaders in Karnataka

Shivakumar also targeted state BJP figures, including Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka and state BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra, accusing them of lacking 'self-respect' while demanding that the state government reduce its own taxes. He countered that the Centre must first roll back its levies before state-level relief can be meaningfully debated. 'We criticised the Centre's price hikes as daylight robbery and staged protests. Yet, BJP leaders shamelessly ask the state government to reduce taxes. First, stop the Centre's exploitation,' he charged.

Broader Political Context

Shivakumar also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over recent public advisories on personal spending, alleging that the BJP was attempting to 'control people's lifestyles.' He remarked that BJP leaders and Union ministers who travelled by Metro for a day did so only 'for photo opportunities' and do not use public transport regularly. This comes amid a broader Congress campaign framing the BJP's economic stewardship as anti-people ahead of upcoming electoral cycles. The Karnataka Congress has positioned its own guarantee schemes — including free power and direct cash transfers — as a counterpoint to what it describes as Central government neglect of household finances.

What Comes Next

Following the 30 May district-level demonstrations, the party has indicated it will intensify the campaign at the Assembly constituency level, though a specific timeline has not been announced. The protests signal that fuel pricing is set to become a central political battleground in Karnataka in the weeks ahead.