Modi has no development to show people after 10-year term: Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed confidence in the Congress's prospects of winning seats in at least 20 constituencies, including Mysore-Kodagu and Chamarajanagar, in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He made these remarks while addressing a gathering of ministers, former ministers, MLAs, former MLAs, district heads, board presidents, block leaders, and other representatives from Mysore, Kodagu, and Chamarajanagar on Sunday.
Siddaramaiah assured the attendees that both Mysore and Chamarajanagar, traditionally strongholds of the Congress, would remain with the party this time. He cited previous losses by narrow margins but expressed optimism that the public's dissatisfaction with the BJP would lead to different results this time. Siddaramaiah credited Congress's relief measures for addressing the distress caused by price rises during the BJP's tenure.
The Chief Minister cited internal surveys predicting victories in 20 constituencies, including Mysore and Chamarajanagar, and emphasized the importance of unified efforts for achieving unprecedented results.
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Commenting on the BJP's reliance on branding Prime Minister Modi, Siddaramaiah criticized the lack of significant achievements during Modi's governance and accused the party of exploiting religious sentiments for electoral gains. He stressed the need for a society free from inequality and criticized BJP for exacerbating divisions along religious and caste lines.
Regarding the BJP-JDS alliance, Siddaramaiah questioned former Prime Minister Devegowda's decision to align with BJP despite previous statements against Modi. He advised reevaluating the party's secular credentials in light of recent developments.
“Devegowda had once said that he would leave the country if Modi was elected PM. The man who once said he wanted to be Muslim in the next birth has allied with BJP now. His son-in-law is also sent to BJP. It’s better to remove the word ‘secular’ from the party,” he added.
Siddaramaiah also highlighted the neglect shown by the Union Government towards Karnataka, citing delays in drought relief assistance and denial of essential aid despite the state's prolonged drought conditions.
The gathering was attended by several prominent leaders, including Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa, Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh, KPCC Working President Tanveer Sait, Committee for Implementation of Guarantee Schemes Vice-president Pushpa Amarnath, Ashraya Scheme President and Former MLA Yathindra Siddaramaiah, and Mysore Lok Sabha candidate Lakshman.
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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.
