The row over the Karnataka government hiking the prices of petrol and diesel snowballed on Monday with the BJP holding statewide protests and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claiming that the increase was necessitated by "injustice" done to the state. Mr Siddaramiah said the BJP-led government at the Centre wasn't doing justice in terms of Karnataka's share of central funds and GST devolution, and in releasing money for state projects.
Hitting out at Mr Siddaramaiah's claims, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri has termed the allegations absurd.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Mr Puri responded to the claim that petrol and prices hadn't gone up as much during the UPA government as it had during the NDA's tenure.