Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday, 15 May launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the recent hike in petrol and diesel prices, accusing the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of loading the burden of its economic failures onto ordinary citizens. The Congress leader demanded an immediate rollback of the ₹3 per litre increase.

What Siddaramaiah Said

Issuing a press statement from Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah described the fuel price revision as an 'anti-people decision.' 'The PM Modi government has once again punished the people for its own failures by increasing petrol and diesel prices by ₹3 per litre. This is not just a price hike; it is another direct attack on the daily life of ordinary Indians,' he said.

The Chief Minister noted that petrol in Bengaluru had crossed ₹106 per litre while diesel was nearing ₹94 per litre, placing both fuels among the highest-priced in major Indian cities.

Cascading Impact on Essentials

Siddaramaiah warned that the hike would set off a chain reaction across the economy. 'This increase will affect vegetable prices, grocery bills, milk prices, construction costs, school van fees, taxi and auto fares, farm input costs, and almost every essential commodity,' he stated. He identified farmers, workers, small traders, women managing household budgets, and the middle class as the hardest-hit groups.

The ripple effect of fuel price increases on transportation and logistics costs is well-documented — a ₹1 per litre rise in diesel, for instance, typically pushes freight rates up by an estimated 0.5–1%, eventually feeding into retail prices of goods.

Tax Collection Allegation

Siddaramaiah also accused the Centre of having collected 'huge taxes' during periods of low global crude prices without passing relief to consumers. 'When crude oil prices were low, the PM Modi government never gave full relief to the people. It collected huge taxes and filled its treasury. But when prices rise, the burden is immediately transferred to citizens. This is not governance; this is exploitation,' he alleged.

This criticism echoes a long-running opposition argument: that the Centre raised excise duties on fuel sharply between 2014 and 2020 — when crude was cheap — and did not proportionately cut them when crude recovered. The Centre has previously defended its fuel tax stance by citing infrastructure and welfare spending requirements.

Political Demand and Broader Charges

Going beyond the fuel issue, Siddaramaiah accused the Centre of failing to control inflation, protect the rupee, and manage the economy effectively. He further alleged that Prime Minister Modi showed greater urgency in protecting 'capitalist friends' than ordinary citizens — a charge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has consistently denied.

The Chief Minister concluded by demanding Prime Minister Modi's resignation. 'For repeatedly failing the people, mismanaging the economy, and pushing ordinary families into deeper hardship, PM Modi must take responsibility and resign,' Siddaramaiah said. The BJP is yet to formally respond to the Karnataka government's statement.