Minister Priyank Kharge says BJP protests on price hike ‘misleading people to cover up internal fight’

BENGALURU: Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday hit out at the BJP, which is in opposition in Karnataka and in power at the Centre, over its economic policies, alleging that the economy of the country has collapsed under the BJP rule.

Asked about the BJP’s protest on the issue of price hikes, the minister accused BJP leader B Y Vijayendra and expelled BJP leader Basangouda R Patil Yatnal for misleading people to “cover up” their fights.

Addressing reporters, Kharge said, “The life of the common man has become hell due to PM Modi’s economic policy. Who is responsible for all this price hike? The economy has collapsed due to PM Modi’s masterstroke. The situation is like this only because of Adani-Ambani”.

“Why was there no discussion on the budget, Siddaramaiah gave the Rs 4 lakh budget, it could have been unravelled thread by thread. Today, Vijayendra and Yatnal are misleading the people to cover up the fight. There is a lack of coordination…”, the minister said.

Bengaluru | On suspension of 18 BJP MLAs allegedly for disrespecting Assembly Speaker, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge says, “How can they tear the bill and throw it at the Speaker? If I were the Speaker, I would have suspended them for 1 year.” pic.twitter.com/0HLP558VXh

— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2025

Speaking on the issue of suspension of 18 BJP MLAs, Kharge stated that the state government will go to the Supreme Court if the Governor does not sign the Bill that grants 4 per cent reservation to minorities in the government contracts.

“They behaved the same way in the budget itself. Why are 18 MLAs suspended, how can a member snatch the Bill while reading it, how can he go next to the Chair and tear the bill and throw it at the Speaker? If I were the Speaker, I would have suspended them for one year. The issue of the state government’s Bill being withdrawn, the Governor is sending it back, the BJP is listening and acting like the Supreme Court is more important than the House. If the Governor does not sign the Bill passed by the House, we will go to the Supreme Court”. (ANI)