‘If they have morality, let them fight against central govt’: Minister Ramalinga Reddy to BJP protesters

VIJAYAPURA: Transport and Endowment Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Tuesday took a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over its ‘Jan Akrosh Yatra’ against the price hikes in Karnataka and said that if they had morality, they should fight against the central government.

Speaking to the media, Reddy said, “They (BJP) started the ‘Jan Akrosh’ rally yesterday in Mysuru because of the price rise by the state government…Yesterday, the Central Government increased Rs 50 for gas (cylinders) and Rs 2 each on diesel and petrol (excise). In 11 years, the Central Government collected Rs 36 Lakh Crores on petrol and diesel as cess. If they have morality, let them fight against Central Government…”

#WATCH | Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy says, “They (BJP) started ‘Jan Akrosh’ rally yesterday from Mysuru because of price rise by State Government…Yesterday, Central Government increased Rs 50 on gas (cylinders) and Rs 2 each on diesel and petrol (excise). In 11 years,… pic.twitter.com/p6fArrJIgf

— ANI (@ANI) April 8, 2025

Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar also jibed at the BJP leaders, telling them to protest against their own party, and held the central government responsible for “price hikes” of petrol, diesel, and gas.

“Namaskar to all my BJP friends. You all are doing ‘Jan Akrosh Yatra’. I congratulate all of you. But at the same time, the Government of India, your BJP Government, has hiked the price of petrol, diesel, and gas. So, your ‘Jan Akrosh Yatra’ should go on with the BJP; it is your party”, Deputy CM Shivakumar said in a video released by his office. Wishing the BJP the best, he urged them to continue their protest against their own party to “solve their problems.”

On Monday, the Karnataka BJP announced the ‘Jan Akrosh Yatra’ in Mangaluru to protest the state’s price hikes and imposition of new taxes. On April 3, MLA and BJP leader R Ashoka launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led Karnataka government for its price hikes, stating, “BJP is fighting against the government’s price hike policies and will take it to a logical conclusion.”

Accusing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of corruption too, he added, “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is stealing through taxes, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is stealing through commissions.” The BJP leader also criticized the rise in liquor prices, calling it another way to exploit the public. “The price of liquor has also been raised to extract money from alcohol lovers”. (ANI)