As BJP calls MLAs meet in Bengaluru, Sunil Naik says Yeddyurappa will be CM soon
Bengaluru: Ahead of the BJP’s all MLA meeting on Tuesday, a day before assembly session will begin in Bengaluru, Bhatkal – Honnavar MLA Sunil Naik told reporters that BS Yeddyurappa will take charge as the CM of the state in coming days, yet again fanning speculations of BJP forming the government in the state.
His statement comes amidst rumors of BJP allegedly offering hefty amounts to the opposition MLAs to join the saffron party as a part of ‘Operation Lotus’ to dethrone the Congress – JDS coalition government.
Sunil however, quashed the reports of ‘Operation Lotus’ while admitting that the party is ready to welcome anyone joining on their own.
“The coalition government has failed to satisfy its MLAs and the voices of dissents among themselves are out in public to be heard, we will welcome anyone coming onboard, but reports of we offering amounts and indulging in horse-trading are all baseless” Sunil told reporters in Bengaluru.
“Everything will be discussed in the meeting, today evening and we will come to a conclusion about our further course”.
“Forming the government is definitely in the back of our heads, but not through horse-trading, few of them want to join us voluntarily. We will definitely take them” Sunil added.
“We are all united, we will all attend today’s meeting under the leadership of Yeddyurappa” Sunil said clearing that no BJP MLA was planning to join JDS Congress coalition government as claimed by the latter.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Metro ridership in Haryana sees over 13 pc rise in 2025-26
Chandigarh (PTI): Haryana's urban transit system witnessed a strong growth in 2025-26, with metro ridership registering a robust 13.55 per cent increase, the state government said in a statement on Thursday.
The progress was reviewed in the 64th board meeting of Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation (HMRTC) chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi.
Between April 2025 and February 2026, the metro network recorded over 1.74 crore passengers, compared to 1.53 crore in the corresponding period the previous year.
July recorded the highest monthly growth at 22.93 per cent, while all months showed consistent positive trends.
Financial performance has also remained strong, with fare revenue rising 12.64 per cent till January 2026, the statement said.
Non-fare revenue surged by 108 per cent, driven by effective monetisation of station spaces, advertisements and commercial activities, resulting in an operating surplus for Rapid Metro.
Further initiatives, including the auction of station naming rights and additional advertisement sites, are expected to strengthen HMRTC's financial position, the statement said.
Appreciating the performance, Rastogi stated that the consistent rise in ridership and revenue reflects the success of Haryana's integrated transport strategy, rising commuter confidence and a clear shift towards public transport.
HMRTC Managing Director Chander Shekhar Khare said that, alongside operational gains, the state is making steady progress on an ambitious pipeline of metro and regional transit projects.
Metro connectivity from Gurugram Sector 56 to Panchgaon is under active consideration, with Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited studying the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and layout plan, and finalising a depot location in Sector 36A near Sihi village, he said.
The Gurugram-Faridabad Namo Bharat corridor has achieved a key milestone, with alignment and station locations finalised and approved by the Haryana government. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation is preparing the DPR, he added.
Similarly, the Delhi-Kundli metro extension is proposed to be placed before the Haryana Cabinet for approval.
The 136.3-kilometre Delhi-Panipat-Karnal RRTS Corridor has also progressed, with the revised DPR submitted for financial concurrence ahead of Haryana Cabinet consideration.
Within Gurugram, DPR preparation has been approved for key intra-city corridors, including the 17.09-kilometre Bhondsi-Subhash Chowk-Rajeev Chowk-Sohna Chowk Railway Station corridor, enhancing connectivity along Sohna Road, Khare said.
