Union Minister Kumaraswamy lashes out at the Congress government, calling it the 'Price Hike Demon'.
Karnataka's Price Hike Storm: Public Outrage Over Congress Government Policies
BNH NETWORK
New Delhi/Bengaluru: Karnataka’s Congress-led government is facing fierce criticism over a series of price hikes, with Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy branding it a "Price Hike Demon" administration. Accusing the government of "bleeding people dry," Kumaraswamy expressed outrage over the latest imposition of a Garbage Cess, adding to a growing list of rising expenses for citizens.
"Cess Even on Garbage!" Kumaraswamy's Outrage
"From today, the Congress Company government is imposing a cess even on garbage! They are draining the blood of the people like leeches!" Kumaraswamy said in a fiery media statement. He further accused the government of deceiving the public with its "five guarantees" while simultaneously increasing prices across essential services.
"This government hikes prices every month while claiming to work for the welfare of the people. Even invaders like Mahmud of Ghazni and Muhammad Ghori would be ashamed of the way the Congress government is looting the people of Karnataka," he said.
A Cascade of Price Hikes
Critics argue that the Congress-led Karnataka government has imposed a relentless series of financial burdens, including hikes in:
- Water tariffs
- Metro and KSRTC bus fares
- Milk prices (increased three times)
- Electricity charges
- Stamp duty and guideline values
- Excise duty
- Professional tax
- Hospital fees (outpatient charges, lab tests, and post-mortem examinations)
- Seed prices for farmers
With these cumulative increases, Kumaraswamy alleged that the government has destroyed a once-prosperous Karnataka, reducing it to financial distress.
"The Congress Government Is Another East India Company!"
Further intensifying his attack, Kumaraswamy likened the Congress-led administration to the British East India Company, calling it the "Karnataka East India Congress" and the "Congress Company Government."
Garbage Cess Sparks New Wave of Protest
From April 1, a Garbage Cess has been introduced under the pretext of waste management. However, Kumaraswamy denounced it as a "multi-crore looting scheme" aimed at further burdening taxpayers.
“They have already crushed people with unbearable expenses, and now they want to tax them for garbage too? This is the height of exploitation,” he said.
Public Reaction & Political Fallout
Public discontent is mounting as protests erupt across Karnataka. Many residents, already struggling with inflation, are expressing frustration over the compounded financial burden.
While the Congress government defends these hikes as necessary for fiscal sustainability, critics argue that they disproportionately impact the common man.
As Karnataka’s economy braces for the impact of these new policies, one question looms large: Will this financial squeeze backfire on the Congress government in upcoming elections?
