Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday, 21 May deflected calls for state-level fuel tax relief, sharply questioning why the media scrutinises state taxation while the Centre raises fuel prices. His remarks signal that the Karnataka government has no immediate plans to roll back its levies on petrol and diesel.

What Siddaramaiah Said

'They (the Centre) will hike the prices of fuel, and are we supposed to reduce them? Why doesn't the media question them on this issue? Instead, the media keeps asking us whether we will reduce prices,' Siddaramaiah told reporters in Bengaluru.

When journalists pointed out that the state government had itself levied higher taxes on fuel, he countered: 'Why are you asking me about it? Shouldn't you ask those who increased the prices first?'

Modi vs Manmohan: The Price Comparison

Siddaramaiah drew a pointed historical contrast, citing fuel rates under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh against current levels. 'During Manmohan Singh's tenure, diesel was priced at ₹48 per litre and petrol at ₹70 per litre. An LPG cylinder cost ₹414. What are the prices now? Who has increased them?' he asked, directing the question at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

Notably, the comparison spans roughly a decade of price escalation driven by multiple factors including global crude movements, excise duty revisions, and currency fluctuations — context the Chief Minister did not elaborate on.

No Relief Announced for Citizens

When reporters pressed Siddaramaiah on whether the state would offer any relief to residents burdened by rising fuel costs, he did not respond and walked away from the press interaction. The silence is being read as a firm indication that no tax reduction is forthcoming from the state in the near term.

Anti-Terrorism Day Pledge at Vidhana Soudha

Separately, Siddaramaiah administered the Anti-Terrorism Day pledge at the Vidhana Soudha conference hall in Bengaluru on the same day. Home Minister G. Parameshwara, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, and senior bureaucrats participated in the observance.

Administering the oath, Siddaramaiah said: 'We, the citizens of Bharat, having faith in the great tradition of non-violence and tolerance for which our country is known, pledge to oppose all forms of terrorism and violence with determination and strength. We solemnly resolve to promote peace, social harmony and mutual understanding among all sections of society, and to fight against divisive and destructive forces that threaten human values and lives with our full capacity.'

The Broader Political Context

The fuel pricing standoff between the Centre and state governments is a recurring flashpoint in Indian federal politics. States levy value-added tax (VAT) on top of central excise duties, meaning both tiers share responsibility for the final pump price. Opposition-ruled states, including Karnataka, have frequently argued that the Centre's excise hikes leave them little political room to cut their own levies without significant revenue loss. This is not the first time Siddaramaiah has used the Manmohan-era benchmark to challenge the current dispensation on fuel pricing.

With no relief signal from either the Centre or the state, consumers in Karnataka are unlikely to see any reduction at the pump in the immediate future.