Yeddyurappa asks Deve Gowda to keep Cong-JDS flock together
Bengaluru, Feb 5: Taking a dig at JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda, Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa Tuesday asked him to stop accusing the saffron party of trying to "destabilise" the Congress-JDS government and instead keep the coalition flock together.
He was reacting to Gowda's comments that attempts were being made by the BJP's state unit to "destabilise" the government.
This comes amid reports that disgruntled Congress lawmakers on the BJP's radar for poaching as part of its bid to topple the ruling coalition might keep away from the session beginning February 6.
The former Chief Minister said, "Deve Gowda is the former Prime Minister of this country. If Congress-JD(S) keep their legislators together, where is the question of we (BJP) toppling (the government)?"
"I would like to ask former Prime Minister Deve Gowda how is it fair to blame Yeddyurappa and BJP unnecessarily, unable to keep your legislators together," he added.
Gowda had on Monday said he did not think Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished to destabilise the ruling coalition in Karnataka, but that attempts were being made by the BJP's state unit under the leadership of Yeddyurappa.
He had also sought to know whether BJP Chief Amit Shah was guiding the state unit to do so.
To a question on BJP leaders expressing doubts about budget presentation on February 8, Yeddyurappa said, "I'm saying it.. no one should give such statements.
February 8, date has been decided for Kumaraswamy to present the budget, tomorrow there is Governor's address to the joint session."
Stating that the coalition government was in a 'coma', BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka had on Saturday expressed doubts whether Kumaraswamy, who also holds Finance portfolio would even present his government's second budget on February 8.
He had claimed that 20 to 25 disgruntled MLAs of the alliance were out of the reach of their leaders.
Yeddyurappa said he had discussions with 25 prominent MLAs regarding the strategy to be adopted in the assembly.
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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.
