<h1>Price Hikes Spark Political Showdown: Karnataka Deputy CM Challenges BJP to Target Central Government's Economic Policies</h1> Political tensions escalated in Karnataka after the central government increased cooking gas prices and fuel excise duties. The state's Deputy Chief Minister challenged the opposition BJP to direct their protest march against their own central government instead of the state government. The ruling Congress party criticized the price hikes, urging BJP leaders to pressure the Prime Minister to reduce prices or end their protest campaign. The central government raised cooking gas prices by Rs 50 per cylinder and increased excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 2 per litre.