No question of embracing Congress: Prakash Rai
Bengaluru: Noted actor and scholar Prakash Rai clarified that “There is no question of contesting the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections on Congress ticket”.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Rai said that “I believe in secular ideology. So, there is no need to identify with any political parties. But if the Congress leaders are following the secular principles, let them support me in the election”, he said.
“Both BJP and Congress are the two faces of the same coin. BJP is following bitter Hindutva ideology, while the Congress is following soft Hindutva. So, it is not possible to raise voice against the exploited classes being in Congress. I will not backtrack from the electoral politics”, he said.
Raj said he will not bring people to do politics. It was not his politics and he would seek opinions of people and proceed with them.
“Instead of thinking who is opponent, let us speak about with whom we are working. It is not a cricket match to speak about victory and defeat. People are not like any political parties. After electing the elected representatives after five years, they have their own works. People will entrust the responsibility to us to do works”, Rai said.
Reservation in Muslim dominated areas
“Political reservation was introduced where Muslim population was more and it was mentioned in the Justice Rajendra Sachar Commission report. If the report is implemented honestly and with concerns, the Muslim community could be empowered”.
- Prakash Raj, actor
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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.
