Surjewala slams Modi govt over price rise
Bengaluru (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.
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India's neighbours wanted to break up Assam but Modi govt shattered their dreams: Fadnavis
Dibrugarh/Jorhat (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday claimed India's neighbours wanted to "break up" Assam by taking advantage of the unrest here earlier, but their "dreams were shattered" as the Narendra Modi government brought peace to the region.
Militancy has come to an end, and 92 per cent of the assurances made in the peace agreements with various groups have already been implemented, he told a poll rally.
Fadnavis maintained that the BJP-led government in Assam has not only ensured the state's development but also protected its identity.
He accused the Congress of having neglected the state and the northeastern region by adopting a "step-motherly attitude" towards them, while Modi has put the region at the centre of development.
Addressing a rally in support of BJP's Dibrugarh candidate Prasanta Phukan, Fadnavis said, "Due to the unrest in the state earlier, neighbouring countries thought they would break Assam someday. But their dreams were shattered by Modi ji, and Assam is progressing fast today."
Crediting the BJP government for bringing the militant groups to the mainstream, the Maharashtra chief minister said not only were peace accords signed with them, but 92 per cent of the assurances made have been implemented.
"Work is on for implementing the remaining eight per cent of promises also," he added.
Highlighting the various welfare measures of the state government, Fadnavis said special emphasis was being given on women's empowerment in line with the Centre's thrust on it.
"Women have benefited the most under Modiji's government. It will be 'Mahila raaj' from 2029 when 33 per cent reservation is implemented in Parliament and state Assemblies," he added.
Speaking at another rally in support of the BJP's Jorhat candidate Hitendra Nath Goswami earlier, the Maharashtra chief minister alleged that infiltration was at its peak in Assam under Congress governments.
"People had to launch a movement against it, and scores were martyred. But the influx did not stop, and the state was burning. It was staring at a full demographic change."
"But the situation changed when Modi came to power. Infiltration has been stopped, and almost all militant groups in the state are returning to the mainstream," he claimed.
Fadnavis claimed that the state's demography would have changed and Assam's history would have been rewritten under the Congress rule.
"But the Modi government works not just for development, but also protects the state's identity, culture, history, and tradition," he said.
He told the gathering that the BJP-led government has ensured massive infrastructure development for the state.
Mentioning the Tata Group's semiconductor unit at Jagiroad, Fadnavis said, "It is a gift of Modi ji to Assam. It will place the state on the global map."
He added that countries with the ability to manufacture semiconductors will be global leaders in the future, and India has joined the elite ranks of a handful of nations.
Taking a dig at the Congress, Fadnavis alleged it had always adopted a "step-motherly attitude" towards the northeast, due to which the region did not see much development, and was embroiled in unrest.
He also criticised the opposition party for its "anti-national stance" during the West Asia crisis, claiming it was trying to create discontentment among the people by raising false doubts over the availability of LPG and fuel.
"We had also been in the opposition, but we had never acted in such a shameful manner," he said.
Taking a dig at state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, who is also the opposition party's candidate in Jorhat, Fadnavis said, "Those in Lok Sabha should remain there. BJP will return to power, and he will have no work here."
Gogoi is also the opposition party's deputy leader in the Lok Sabha.
