Bengaluru, March 28, 2026: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday alleged that the Central government would hike petrol and diesel prices immediately after the upcoming Assembly elections in five states, terming the recent reduction in excise duty by the Centre as an "election gimmick."
Addressing reporters at the KPCC office and later at his residence, Shivakumar claimed the excise duty cut on petrol and diesel was a politically motivated move to influence voters ahead of the polls scheduled for April 9 and 23, 2026. He accused the BJP-led Centre of burdening the common man while temporarily easing prices for electoral gains.
"The Government of India is murdering us... they are doing it for the election. The Nayara company has already increased the prices. We will throw light on this issue to the people of the state," Shivakumar said. When asked if the Karnataka government would take steps to lower fuel costs, he replied that the matter would be discussed later.
# Joint Congress Statement
In a joint statement issued in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep S. Surjewala criticised the Centre's decision. They pointed out that amid the West Asia crisis, private retailer Nayara Energy (formerly Essar) had already hiked petrol prices by ₹5.30 per litre and diesel by ₹3 per litre. This, they argued, served as a "prelude" to a broader post-poll increase in fuel and cooking gas prices once the elections concluded.
The Congress leaders maintained that the Centre was "trying to fool the people" by announcing the excise duty reduction while preparing for future hikes.
# Context of the Excise Duty Cut
The Centre recently announced a reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel, which the ruling Congress in Karnataka described as timed to coincide with the polls. Private players like Nayara Energy have independently raised prices, adding to the controversy. Opposition leaders in Karnataka, including BJP's Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka, hit back, accusing the state Congress government of repeatedly hiking taxes on fuel in the past and calling Shivakumar's remarks "ironic and laughable."
Fuel prices remain a sensitive political issue, with both the Centre and states often facing criticism over duties, taxes, and global crude oil fluctuations. Karnataka has previously adjusted VAT on petrol and diesel, drawing opposition fire.
Shivakumar's remarks come as political temperatures rise ahead of the state assembly elections in multiple states. No immediate response from the Central government was available at the time of reporting.
The development is likely to intensify the ongoing war of words between the Congress and BJP on economic issues affecting the common man, particularly transportation and household fuel costs.
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