Bengaluru, Mar 31 (PTI) Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Tuesday attacked the Centre over price rise, alleging that April 1 has become “a day of loot, rob and fleece” under the BJP-led central government, impacting the lives and livelihoods of people across Karnataka and the country.
Addressing a press conference here, he said the surge in prices of essential commodities, fuel, medicines and services had placed an unbearable burden on the common man, and accused the BJP of using inflation as a tool to “swindle, plunder and burgalise” public money.
“April 1 has become a day of loot, rob and fleece for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government and the BJP,” the Rajya Sabha member said.
Surjewala alleged that rising toll collections reflected what he termed as “highway robbery”, claiming that the Centre had collected massive revenues from Karnataka alone over the years.
“Since 2019-20 till today, Modi government and BJP has collected Rs 23,000 crore by pickpocketing the pockets of people of Karnataka alone,” the MP said, and said that toll charges would be further increased by about five per cent from April 1.
Citing the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway as an example, he claimed that toll was collected even before completion of the project.
“They collected Rs 900 crore already from only Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway.” Surjewala further accused the Centre of burdening patients by increasing the cost of medicines, stating that prices of hundreds of essential drugs would rise from April 1.
“Starting tomorrow, April 1, 2026, Modi government is hiking the price of 900 essential drugs and medicines,” the Congress leader said, adding that even life-saving drugs and treatments for diseases such as diabetes and hypertension would become costlier.
Surjewala also pointed to rising input costs in sectors such as construction, petrochemicals and consumer goods, and alleged that the increase in prices of materials like steel, cement, PVC and bitumen would directly hit housing and infrastructure development.
“What will the common man do? Where will he go?” he asked.
Highlighting the rise in fuel and transport-related expenses, Surjewala said LPG prices had sharply increased over the years and alleged that airfare and other travel costs were also on the rise.
He further criticised the hike in postal charges, saying, “the speed post rates have gone up by 34 per cent.” Demanding accountability, he said the Prime Minister and BJP leadership must respond to the issue of inflation before seeking votes in various states, asserting that the continued price rise was adversely affecting every section of society. PTI GMS SA
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.