Whip issued to Cong-JDS MLAs ahead of budget session
Bengaluru, Feb 5: Amid allegations of renewed bid by BJP to destabilise the Kumaraswamy ministry, a whip was issued to all MLAs of ruling JDS-Congress coalition Tuesday to be present in the state assembly during all days of the budget session commencing Wednesday and vote in favour of the government.
The issuance of the whip is seen as a move by the ruling coalition to pre-empt any plans of disgruntled Congress MLAs on the radar of BJP to stay away from the assembly and pose a threat to the stability of the government.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who also holds the finance portfolio, said his government was stable and he would present a good budget and deliver good administration despite a few people trying to create hurdles.
The whip issued by the Government's Chief Whip Ganesh Prakash Hukkeri read: "...you (MLAs) have to be present in the House mandatorily from February 6 to 15 every day, from the time the Speaker starts the proceedings to till the time he concludes, and vote in favour of the government.
It has been issued in the backdrop of reports that the Congress MLAs who had skipped the legislature party meeting last month might stay away from the assembly.
Expressing doubts about budget presentation on February 8, senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister R Ashok had claimed 20 to 25 disgruntled MLAs of the alliance were out of the reach of their leaders and the coalition government was in a 'coma'.
The BJP had on Sunday said it was not averse to moving a no-confidence motion during the budget session.
Former chief minister Siddaramaiah had Monday alleged BJP was offering Rs 50 crore each to Congress MLAs to switch sides, a charge rejected by the saffron party.
State BJP President B S Yeddyurappa has said his party was not attempting to topple the government and asked the Congress and JDS to keep their flock together.
State Congress Chief Dinesh Gundu Rao Monday said action would be taken against legislators if they violated the whip.
Kumaraswamy, responding to questions from reporters here Tuesday, said BJP leaders were in illusion.
"Let them continue to be in illusion... I will do my duty... screen will be lifted tomorrow, you will get all information, he added.
Rubbishing reports raising questions about the longevity of the government and budget presentation, Siddaramaiah, who is also the Coalition coordination committee chief, said the government would complete its full term.
Nothing will happen to this government for five years...the session will go on smoothly and the budget will be presented. The government was solid as rock, he said.
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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.
