The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold protests across Karnataka on June 17 in response to the recent increase in petrol and diesel prices, announced the party's state unit president B Y Vijayendra on Sunday.
The Karnataka government increased the sales tax on fuel on Saturday, leading to a rise in petrol prices by Rs 3 per litre and diesel by Rs 3.5 per litre.
"We urge the Chief Minister to withdraw this decision immediately. Tomorrow, we have organised protests across the state, and we are not going to keep quiet until the hike is revoked," Vijayendra stated in Hassan, the district headquarters town.
He added that the protests would take place in all district headquarters throughout the state.
Vijayendra accused the "desperate Chief Minister" of increasing fuel prices due to an inability to launch new programmes because of the commitment to the five guarantees.
"Following the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress government has increased fuel prices. This will affect all sections of people across the state," the BJP state chief said.
Officials noted that the hike aims at resource mobilisation. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also serves as the Finance Minister, reviewed the state's revenue generation and fiscal position before making the decision.
The fuel price increase comes days after the Lok Sabha poll results, in which the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 19 out of 28 seats in Karnataka, with the BJP winning 17 and JD(S) 2. The ruling Congress in the state won nine seats.
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