Diesel price hike 'inevitable' to meet subsidy bill: Mallikarjun Kharge

In view of international financial crunch and recession in European countries posing a major threat to Indian economy, stern economic reforms were necessary to save the nation from recession, he told reporters here.

"Instead of supporting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the opposition, including BJP, is spreading a false propaganda against UPA. Hike in diesel prices and cap on LPG are inevitable steps to tackle rising subsidy bill and slowing economy," he said.

Instead of targetting UPA government, BJP governments in other states including Karnataka should focus their energies on giving good administration, which they have not done, Kharge claimed.

Besides, they did not utilise central funds to alleviate the problems of people, he alleged.

Kharge said Congress would bounce back to power in Karnataka in the next Assembly elections as the electorate would dump "scam-hit" BJP.

"People are fed up with state BJP for its misrule and internal bickerings, which has hit developmental works," he said.