Bengaluru, March 31 Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Tuesday attacked the Centre over rising prices, alleging that April 1 has become "a day of looting, robbery, and exploitation" 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 extort" public funds.
"April 1 has become a day of looting, robbery, and exploitation 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 until today, the Modi government and the BJP have collected Rs 23,000 crore by exploiting the people of Karnataka alone," the MP said, and added 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 the project was completed.
"They have already collected Rs 900 crore from just the 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, the Modi government is increasing 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 more expensive.
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 affect 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 that LPG prices had sharply increased over the years and alleged that airfares 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 address the issue of inflation before seeking votes in various states, asserting that the continued price rise was adversely affecting every section of society.