Who is Sumalatha Ambareesh to challenge Kumaraswamy? Questions HD Revanna
"She entered politics in less than a month after her husband's death" Revanna stirs controversy
Bengaluru: HD Revanna on Friday questioned the credibility of actress Sumalatha Ambareesh to challenge the CM of the state HD Kumaraswamy. His comments came during an interview with a private channel when he was replying to a question if JDS was doing family politics in the wake of Nikhil Kumarswamy contesting from Mandya constituency.
The interviewer asked the motive behind the move of JDS to place Nikhil Kumaraswamy from Mandya and sidelining Shivarama Gowda who had won election from the constituency previously. To this, he replied “Earlier as well, JDS had given tickets to general candidate who were not from family, at that time as well we had the opportunity to field Nikhil there, but we chose general candidates. Now we have filed him there so that he can face the challenge”.
Revanna was further asked if Nikhil was being fielded to challenge actress Sumalatha, Revanna replied with a controversial statement adding “Sumalatha entered into politics in less than a month of her husband’s death. Who is she to challenge Kumaraswamy”
The statement has not gone down too well the supporters of Sumalatha and has stirred controversy
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.
