Thiruvananthapuram: Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday termed the consecutive increase in fuel prices as a daylight robbery by the central government, stating that people in Kerala were eagerly waiting to see whether the United Democratic Front (UDF) would cut taxes, as they had earlier demanded, to bring down fuel prices.
Vijayan slams Centre over fuel price rise
By hiking petrol and diesel prices again, the central government is looting the public, Vijayan said. He asserted that imposing price rises even as Brent crude falls amounts to daylight robbery. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is repeating its familiar trick—holding prices down during elections and emptying people's pockets once the votes are cast, he added.
Challenge to UDF government
When in opposition, the UDF staged protests demanding that the state cut taxes on fuel. Today, the UDF is in power in Kerala. Vijayan remarked, "People across the state are eager to see what they will do to put their own argument into practice, raise their voice against the central government, and reduce taxes." He made the statement in a press release here.
Vijayan's comments come amid rising fuel prices across the country, with the central government facing criticism for the frequent hikes. The Opposition leader's challenge puts the ruling UDF in a spot, as they had previously advocated for tax reductions when they were in opposition.
