Why credit Centre for metro but blame State for fare hikes: Siddaramaiah calls out BJP's 'hypocrisy'
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sharply criticised the opposition BJP, accusing the party of "hypocrisy" regarding the recent metro fare hike in Bengaluru.
The chief minister highlighted that while BJP leaders credit the central government for the construction of the metro, they simultaneously blame the state government when people voice their discontent over the fare increase. “This is hypocrisy," he said in a statement, two days after Namma Metro hiked its fares by 45-46 percent after discounts.
The fare revision saw rates ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 90, with some routes experiencing up to a 100 percent increase. Siddaramaiah clarified that the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) was a joint venture, with equal contributions from both the state and central government.
"As an autonomous body, the BMRCL is not entirely under the control of the state government," Siddaramaiah mentioned.
Siddaramaiah noted that no increase had been implemented since 2017. He revealed that the BMRCL had approached the Centre for approval regarding the hike. "If the power to revise fares was solely with the state government, why would the BMRCL write to the central government?" he questioned.
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RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
