Shivamogga, June 15: Senior BJP leader MB Bhanuprakash, aged 69, died of a cardiac arrest on Monday while leading a protest against the Karnataka government’s recent hike in petrol and diesel prices. Bhanuprakash, who was addressing the protestors in Shivamogga district, collapsed while getting into his car. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he could not be saved, police said.
Bhanuprakash was a respected former Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) and had previously served as the BJP’s state vice-president and district president.
BJP’s Statewide Protest
The BJP organized statewide demonstrations in response to the Karnataka government’s decision to hike sales tax on fuel, which increased petrol prices by Rs 3 per litre and diesel by Rs 3.5 per litre. Protests took place in all district headquarters across the state.
In Bengaluru, state BJP president BY Vijayendra led the agitation, condemning the Congress government’s decision as anti-people. He claimed that the price hike would negatively impact all sectors and was a consequence of the financial burden imposed by the government’s five guarantee schemes.
The Congress Government’s Five Guarantees
The Congress government’s five guarantee schemes include:
- Gruha Jyoti: 200 units of free power to all households.
- Gruha Lakshmi: Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family.
- Anna Bhagya: Payment of cash in lieu of the additional 5 kg of rice to every member of a Below Poverty Line (BPL) household.
- YuvaNidhi: Rs 3,000 monthly for unemployed graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders for two years.
- Shakti: Free travel for women in public transport buses.
Government’s Response
Officials stated that the hike was aimed at resource mobilization. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, reviewed the state’s revenue generation and fiscal position before making the decision.
The increase in fuel prices follows the recent Lok Sabha election results, where the NDA won 19 out of 28 seats in Karnataka, with the BJP securing 17 and JD(S) two. The ruling Congress won nine seats.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other leaders expressed their condolences over Bhanuprakash’s death. The Prime Minister’s Office posted a message on social media expressing deep condolences and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
