Bengaluru, March 31
Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Centre over rising prices, alleging that April 1 has become “a day of loot, rob and fleece” under the BJP-led government, impacting the livelihoods of people across Karnataka and the country.
Addressing a press conference here, Surjewala said the surge in prices of essential commodities, fuel, medicines, and services has placed an “unbearable burden” on the common man. He accused the BJP of using inflation as a tool to “swindle, plunder and burgalise” public money.
“April 1 has become a day of loot, rob and fleece for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government and the BJP,” the Rajya Sabha MP said.
Surjewala also alleged that rising toll collections amounted to “highway robbery,” claiming the Centre has collected massive revenues from Karnataka over the years. “Since 2019-20, the Modi government and BJP have collected Rs 23,000 crore by pickpocketing the people of Karnataka alone,” he said, adding that toll charges would increase by about five per cent from April 1. Citing the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway project, he alleged that tolls were collected even before the project’s completion, with around Rs 900 crore already collected from this single stretch.
The Congress leader further accused the Centre of burdening patients by increasing the cost of medicines, stating that prices of 900 essential drugs, including life-saving treatments for diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, would rise from April 1.
Highlighting rising input costs in construction, petrochemicals, and consumer goods, Surjewala said the increase in prices of materials such as steel, cement, PVC, and bitumen would directly impact housing and infrastructure development.
He also pointed to the rising cost of fuel and transportation, claiming LPG prices have sharply increased over the years and airfare and travel expenses are on the rise. He criticised the postal department as well, saying speed post rates have gone up by 34 per cent.
Demanding accountability, Surjewala urged the Prime Minister and BJP leadership to address the issue of inflation before seeking votes in various states, warning that the continued price rise was affecting every section of society.
