Congress will win at least 20 LS seats in Karnataka, says CM Siddaramaiah
Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, addressing reporters at Mandakalli Airport in the city on Sunday, expressed optimism about the Congress party's prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, foreseeing a victory in at least 20 seats.
While refraining from echoing the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) claim of a clean sweep across all 28 seats, Siddaramaiah asserted the Congress's confidence in securing a minimum of 20 seats. He underscored the party's strategic approach amidst the BJP-JD(S) alliance dynamics in the state.
Commenting on the alliance, Siddaramaiah suggested that it had inadvertently favored the Congress, though he declined to elaborate further, citing the need for discretion on certain matters.
Criticizing the BJP's performance, Siddaramaiah questioned the fulfillment of the party's electoral promises, highlighting unmet pledges such as the distribution of Rs 15 lakh to each family and the creation of two crore jobs. He accused the BJP of propagating hollow assurances and misleading the public.
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Responding to queries about ticket allocations to ministers' children, Siddaramaiah clarified that such decisions were made considering public sentiment and trust in the candidates. He emphasized that the Congress remained committed to meritocracy and denied engaging in dynastic politics.
Addressing remarks by MLA and former Congress minister SR Srinivas regarding his potential resignation, Siddaramaiah dismissed any suggestion of stepping down in case of an electoral setback. He clarified that Srinivas had expressed support for Siddaramaiah's leadership, citing his contributions to guarantee schemes and welfare initiatives for the underprivileged.
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New trains to ease crowding on Namma Metro Purple-Green lines in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Commuters on the crowded Namma Metro Purple and Green lines may soon get relief, as the Railway Board has issued provisional sanction for induction of new train sets, Deccan Herald reported.
The Railway Board communicated the provisional sanction to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) in a letter on April 1, raising hopes that additional trains could be deployed during peak hours by May-June.
According to the Railway Board, the approval comes with conditions, including a maximum speed of 80 kmph in fully inflated mode and 25 kmph in deflated mode of the secondary air spring.
The BMRCL will also need a separate sanction from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) by submitting the Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) report confirming the trains’ integration, operation, and compatibility with the Direct To Go (DTG) signalling and train control system for the Purple and Green lines.
The BMRCL has received three DTG trains, including a prototype delivered in January 2025, for the Purple and Green lines. The trains must pass 37 statutory clearances before entering passenger service.
The BMRCL had approached the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), under the Ministry of Railways, to conduct statutory trials related to oscillation, braking, speed and system integration tests for the trains. The CMRS will issue the final sanction after receiving the ISA certificate.
Officials said the ISA certification process is already underway, with new signalling software currently being tested. Final approvals are expected by May-June, after which the trains can be introduced into service.
The new trains have been supplied by China's CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd, which will deliver a total of 21 trains for the Purple and Green lines in partnership with the West Bengal-based Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL). Currently, the network operates with 57 trains supplied by BEML.
