Bengaluru, July 7: The Congress is reportedly unhappy with Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy who on Thursday proposed higher levies on petrol and diesel in the Budget for 2018-19. The decision has not gone well the Congress, which is a coalition partner in the government, and it may demand Kumaraswamy to withdraw the proposal.

Kumaraswamy had proposed propose 2 per cent extra state tax on petrol and diesel in the Karnataka Budget. However, the proposal embarrassed the Congress which has been targeting the Modi government and the BJP relentlessly over rising fuel prices across the country. After Kumaraswamy's proposal, many said it exposes hypocrisy of the Congress on the issue.

“Kumaraswamy’s decision has disarmed the Congress of its poll weapon — rising fuel prices — over which the party is weaving an aggressive campaign against the Modi government," a senior Congress leader was quoted as saying by TOI. "How can the party afford such a miscalculated step when the Lok Sabha elections are round the corner?" he added.

Meanwhile, it was also revealed that the Congress was not consulted on the fuel price hike issue. “The committee approved the loan waiver scheme and authorized the CM to work out the nitty-gritty of the scheme. We had not expected a fuel price hike," the Congress leader said, hinting Kumaraswamy could rollback the decision next week.

The 2 per cent hike in the sales tax on petrol to 32 per cent from 30 per cent will increase its price by Rs 1.14 per litre. Similarly, 2 per cent hike in sales tax on diesel to 21 per cent from 19 per cent will increase its price by Rs 1.12 per litre.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 07, 2018 05:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).