Surjewala Attacks Kumaraswamy Amid Political and Economic Friction

Surjewala contends that Kumaraswamy’s hostility toward the state government is a diversionary tactic triggered by his marginalization within the BJP-led coalition regarding Rajya Sabha nominations. The Congress leader pointed to a history of shifting political alliances, noting that his party previously supported HD Deve Gowda when the numbers allowed, only to be dismissed when the BJP took the lead. He argues that the JD(S) leader is now venting his resentment toward the Congress after failing to secure his desired standing with his current partners.

Beyond the local friction, Surjewala targeted the central government’s management of the national economy. He accused the Centre of maintaining high fuel costs despite a decline in global oil benchmarks. With crude prices having dropped by as much as $24 a barrel, Surjewala maintains that the current pricing for petrol, diesel, LPG, and CNG is unjustifiable. He insists that retail rates should be adjusted downward to reflect these international market shifts rather than extracting higher margins from the Indian consumer.