Union minister HD Kumaraswamy criticises Congress for fuel price hike in Karnataka

BENGALURU: Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday slammed the Congress government in Karnataka for increasing the prices of petrol and diesel.

Talking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy said, “The state Congress government is increasing prices. The state government has increased the price of milk. The state government has also increased the price of petrol and diesel. Congress is raising prices in the state (to fund its) guarantees”.

The Union Minister also said that today they held a meeting to strengthen the organisation of the party. “Today, we had a lengthy meeting for the restructuring and development of the party organisation…The party MLAs have given me the responsibility to select the new leader for the floor of the assembly…”

He told reporters, “After having consultations with the JD(S) national president H D Deve Gowda, the legislature party leader will be announced within two to three days…”.

He also said that there was a scam in the allotment of Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) plots. Kumaraswamy said, “The Urban Development Minister (Byrathi Suresh) has given a statement in Chamarajanagar that there are no scams in MUDA. So why are the authorities investigating again when there is no scandal?”

His reaction came after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday that an investigation is being conducted to determine if there was any misuse in the allotment of Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) plots.

“The plots are currently on hold, and there has been no loss to the government. Those involved in the plot allotment have been transferred, and a senior IAS officer is leading the investigation. A final decision will be made after the report is submitted”, Siddaramaiah had said. (ANI)