The BJP will stage protests across Karnataka on June 17 against the government's recent hike in sales tax on fuel, which has increased petrol prices by Rs 3 per litre and diesel by Rs 3.5 per litre, according to the party's state unit president B Y Vijayendra.

BJP spokesperson S Prakash expressed his discontent, stating, "The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government has steeply increased diesel and petrol prices in this state. Soon after the Parliament elections are over, this hike has been brought. People were expecting Rs 8500 khatakhat in their bank accounts as promised by Rahul Gandhi. On the contrary, they have been hugely burdened by the increase in petroleum products. This is an outcome of guarantee schemes pursued by the State Govt. The State Govt is financially bankrupt, they are trying to extract revenue from whatever is available."