Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district Mahila Congress president Appi S defended the Karnataka govt’s recent revisions in milk prices and KSRTC bus fares, accusing the BJP of misleading the public for political mileage. She also criticised Union minister Shobha Karandlaje for protesting against the milk price hike while remaining silent on rising fuel and LPG prices.
“You did not utter a single word when LPG prices were hiked by Rs 50 three months ago, nor when petrol prices were increased 14 times, yet today you hit the streets holding a milk can when Rs 8 is given to empower farmers,” she said. On the KSRTC fare revision and allegations that the Shakti free bus travel scheme was causing losses, Appi said rural connectivity remained a govt responsibility. “Out of 100 buses, 40 operate in rural areas where private buses refuse to ply, and the state govt bears the responsibility of maintaining this rural connectivity,” she said, citing rising fuel and spare-part costs as reasons for the revision.
Targeting Karandlaje over her protest with milk cans, Appi questioned the BJP leader’s silence on the LPG price rise. She also criticised the Centre for imposing GST on essential items, including curd and matchboxes.