Bengaluru: — The ongoing controversy over the Bengaluru Metro fare hike has sparked a heated exchange between political leaders, with the ruling Congress and opposition BJP blaming each other for the decision.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya accused the Karnataka Congress government of burdening citizens with rising costs, including hikes in electricity, property tax, and excise duties. He claimed that the state government initiated the metro fare revision process and that its representatives on the fare fixation committee supported the increase. Surya urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take action rather than shift blame, stating that the state has the power to request a review or appoint a new committee.
In response, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended his government, calling BJP’s claims “false and misleading.” He suggested that the opposition was attempting to deflect responsibility for the fare hike. His full statement emphasized that the decision-making process involved multiple stakeholders, including the central government.
The fare hike has faced widespread criticism from Bengaluru commuters, with many urging the government to reconsider. As the debate continues, all eyes are now on the Karnataka government’s next move.
