Karnataka BJP launches Janaakrosha campaign against inflation, minority appeasement; Congress terms it ‘hypocrisy’

Launching the campaign in Mysuru, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi said that the prices of 48 items had increased under the Congress rule in the state and cited the recent hikes in milk and diesel prices as examples. “In this state, people have started worrying about being born and to die. This is because the government has increased the fee for death certificates too. From Rs 5 to Rs 50,” he said.

The Yatra aims to generate public opinion against the Siddaramaiah government by focusing on inflation, ‘minority appeasement’ and ‘loot of funds meant for Dalits’ in the state.

On the Rs 2 hike in diesel and petrol prices announced by the Centre, Joshi said that the hike will not be transferred to consumers and borne by petroleum companies.

Soon after the hike in diesel, petrol and LPG prices, Siddaramaiah issued a statement saying, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has exposed the hypocrisy of the so-called ‘Janaakrosha Yatre’ launched by BJP leaders in Karnataka, by himself increasing the prices of petrol, diesel, and cooking gas. He has, in effect, confirmed the truth we’ve been saying all along – that these price hikes are the direct result of the Union Government’s anti-people economic policies.”

“The consistent rise in petrol, diesel, and cooking gas prices is the root cause behind the increase in the cost of essentials – from rice, pulses, fish, meat, and vegetables to hotel food. Yet, BJP leaders are trying to shift the blame onto us. But now, Prime Minister Modi himself has exposed their bluff,” the CM added. He said that the BJP, which has embarked on the Yatra, had only two options – “either to pressure the PM to roll back the hike or end their farce and return home.”

Earlier in the day, JD(S) MLC S L Bhojegowda, responding to media queries about the party’s absence in the Yatra, said that there weren’t “any differences between the two parties over any movement against the current Congress regime. It is not that there will be 100 per cent coordination (between the alliance partners).”