Karnataka BJP protests against milk and bus fare hikes in Bengaluru
The party staged a demonstration at Freedom Park demanding the rollback of recent price increases by the Congress government.
The Karnataka BJP staged a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Wednesday, 11 November, to demand the rollback of recent increases in bus fares and milk prices. Led by BJP State president BY Vijayendra, the party accused the DK Shivakumar government of failing to honour pre-poll promises and increasing the financial load on households, according to reports by South First and The News Mill.
The state government implemented a 23 per cent to 35 per cent increase in bus fares across four state-run transport corporations on 5 November. Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh attributed the hike to mounting losses and rising diesel costs. Additionally, Nandini milk prices rose by ₹8 a litre from 1 November.
Bengaluru Development and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the Cabinet settled on an ₹8 increase following a demand from farmers for a ₹10 increase.
BJP leaders, including former Chief Ministers BS Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai, participated in the demonstration. Bommai alleged that the government has imposed more than ₹1 lakh crore in new taxes and taken a ₹4 lakh crore loan in the last three years. He described the administration as anti-people and anti-development.
Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka stated that the successive price hikes are hurting middle-class and poor households. Former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa accused the Congress government of being bankrupt and unable to afford fuel for government buses. He demanded that the Chief Minister withdraw the price increases.