Siddaramaiah slams Centre on fuel price hike, demands rollback
Synopsis
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah publicly demanded a rollback of the Centre’s latest fuel price hike, citing LPG cylinder costs that have more than doubled — from ₹413 to over ₹1,000 — since the BJP came to power. With farmers, labourers, and the poor in the crosshairs, the attack signals a sharpening Congress offensive on the cost-of-living front ahead of upcoming state elections.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on 15 May condemned the Centre’s hike in petrol and diesel prices and demanded an immediate rollback.
He alleged that PM Narendra Modi has raised fuel prices ‘many times’ since coming to power.
LPG cylinder prices have risen from approximately ₹413 to over ₹1,000 under the BJP-led Centre, according to Siddaramaiah.
Siddaramaiah warned that farmers, labourers, and the poor will be most severely affected by the hike.
He also alleged that the Centre failed to properly conduct NEET , leaving students facing re-examination uncertainty.
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is set to begin in Karnataka, with the state government preparing for the exercise.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday, 15 May launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the latest hike in petrol and diesel prices, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has repeatedly raised fuel costs since assuming power at the national level. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah called for an immediate rollback and said ordinary citizens, farmers, and labourers would bear the heaviest burden.
What Siddaramaiah Said
The Chief Minister did not mince words, stating: “We had been saying from the beginning that petrol and diesel prices would increase after the elections. BJP leaders criticised us even for a slight increase in fuel prices in Karnataka, despite our rates being lower than those in neighbouring states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has increased fuel prices many times after coming to power.”
Siddaramaiah added that the state government had anticipated the move. “We knew very well that they would increase the prices now, and they have done so. Ultimately, the increase in petrol and diesel prices will affect the lives of ordinary people. Farmers, labourers, and the poor will be impacted the most,” he said.
The LPG Price Argument
The Chief Minister widened his criticism to include LPG cylinder prices, drawing a pointed comparison. “When the BJP came to power at the Centre, the price of an LPG cylinder was around ₹413. Today, it has crossed ₹1,000. As a result, the prices of other essential commodities have also increased,” he said.
He argued that unaffordable LPG prices compound the hardship on households already squeezed by rising living costs, warning that “daily lives will be severely affected” if the burden is not eased.
Appeal for Immediate Rollback
Siddaramaiah made a direct appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reverse the decision. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had no compelling reason to increase fuel prices at this point. The hike should be rolled back immediately. That is my appeal to the Prime Minister,” he stated. The Centre has not yet responded to the demand.
NEET Controversy and Electoral Roll Revision
The Chief Minister also took aim at the Centre over the conduct of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), alleging administrative failure. “The Centre has failed to properly conduct the NEET examination. Students who have already appeared for the exam are now facing the uncertainty of having to write it again,” he alleged.
On a separate administrative matter, Siddaramaiah confirmed that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls would soon commence in Karnataka, and that the state government would make the necessary preparations for the exercise.
Political Context
This is not the first time Siddaramaiah has targeted the Centre on fuel pricing. The Congress-led Karnataka government has consistently positioned itself as a check on what it describes as cost-of-living mismanagement by the BJP at the national level. The latest salvo comes amid broader opposition pressure on the Modi government over inflation and the NEET examination controversy, both of which have drawn nationwide political attention. With assembly elections in several states on the horizon, fuel prices are likely to remain a live political flashpoint.
Point of View
With mixed electoral returns. What’s sharper this time is the LPG number: a more-than-doubling from ₹413 to over ₹1,000 is a concrete, verifiable data point that cuts through political noise and lands directly in household budgets. The Centre’s silence so far is notable. Bundling NEET criticism into the same press interaction suggests a deliberate opposition strategy to frame the BJP as administratively failing on multiple fronts simultaneously — a framing that could gain traction if fuel prices stay elevated through the next election cycle.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah criticising the Centre over fuel prices?
Siddaramaiah alleges that the BJP-led Centre has repeatedly raised petrol, diesel, and LPG prices since coming to power, placing an undue burden on ordinary citizens, farmers, and labourers. He made the remarks in Bengaluru on 15 May, calling the latest hike unjustified and demanding an immediate rollback.
How much have LPG cylinder prices risen under the current central government, according to Siddaramaiah?
According to Siddaramaiah, LPG cylinder prices have risen from approximately ₹413 when the BJP came to power at the Centre to over ₹1,000 today — a more than two-fold increase. He argued this rise has also pushed up the cost of other essential commodities.
What has Siddaramaiah demanded from Prime Minister Modi?
Siddaramaiah has directly appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to roll back the fuel price hike immediately, stating there was ‘no compelling reason’ for the increase at this point. The Centre had not issued a response to the demand as of the time of reporting.
What did Siddaramaiah say about the NEET examination?
Siddaramaiah alleged that the Centre failed to properly conduct the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), leaving students who had already appeared for the exam facing uncertainty about whether they would have to sit it again. He framed it as another instance of central government mismanagement.
What is the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls mentioned by Siddaramaiah?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a periodic exercise to update and clean up voter registration lists. Siddaramaiah confirmed the exercise will soon begin in Karnataka and said the state government is making the necessary preparations to participate in it.
