The first Chief Minister of Telangana, K Chandrashekar Rao, hit out at the BJP government for asking the states to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel. Recently, the states ruled under Bharatiya Janata Party commonly deducted the prices of the fuels effectively, and the Union Territories and States that were left out, ruled by other parties were also asked to do the same. On the contrary, the CM asked the center to get rid of the cess on the petroleum products. In a speech, he informed that internationally the prices of crude are still priced low, the Central Government, ruled by BJP is increasing the prices in the name of cess inflation and burdening the common man. According to the CM, the last time when the international prices have never crossed the 105 USD mark per barrel since the year 2014, however, the Centre has increased the prices unnecessarily.

 “We have not hiked VAT. We have not increased even a paisa so the question of reduction does not arise. Ever since the TRS government was formed, VAT has not been increased. Which fool will ask us to decrease (VAT)? The fool who increased it will have to reduce it,” KCR said. 

The BJP Chief B Sanjay Kumar in Telangana announced on Saturday, 6th November, that the party will take up agitational programs to ensure that the State Government also reduces the VAT. He also motivated and asked the state government to buy paddy from farmers. However, the CM of the state hit out on Sanjay and accused him of ‘bluffing’ the farmers of the state. He cleared out that the center has stated that they are not going to buy paddy and the agricultural minister has humbly requested farmers to go for other crops. 

 “The Centre is saying we will not procure paddy and the state BJP is saying we will procure it. Refrain from loose talk. We’ll cut your (state BJP leaders) tongues if you pass unnecessary comments about us,” ANI quoted KCR as saying.