Yediyurappa’s ‘22 seat in LS Election’ statement backfires; invites criticism from all corners
Siddaramaiah calls it ‘Shocking and disgusting’
Bengaluru, Feb 28: Ever since former Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa made the controversial remark, politicising the terror attack in Pulwama and retaliation from India air force, people across the country have expressed their anger and dissent over the BJP’s state president.
Netizen expressed their resentment on social media against Yeddyurappa for using the sacrifice of brave soldiers who laid down their lives for the country, for political gains.
In his tweet, former chief minister Siddaramaiah said that he condemn the political greediness of Yeddyurappa who is dreaming of getting election benefits out of the death of soldiers. While tears from the family members of the martyrs did not yet stope rolling, he criticised.
Calling the statement ‘shocking and disgusting’ Siddaramaiah added “It is unfortunate that @BJP4India is calculating electoral gains even before the dust has settled. No patriot shall derive such sadistic gains over soldiers' death, only a anti-nationalist can”
KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao also said that the statement of Yeddyurappa on politicising the Jammu and Kashmir issue was unfortunate and condemnable.
Yeddyurappa's statement
On Wednesday, Yeddyurappa said in Chitradurga that "after 40 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been giving a befitting reply to Pakistan in retaliation to Pulwama attack on our soldiers. One fighter jet of Pakistan was already shot down. Modi had said that he would take revenge for every drop of blood of 44 soldiers and is doing it. People including opposition parties have welcomed the retaliation on Pakistan. Youth have also enjoyed it and this would help BJP to win 22 seats in forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state" which stirred a nation-wide controversy calling for harsh criticism from all corners.
Shocking & disgusting to understand #BJPsPlot4Vote. It is unfortunate that @BJP4India is calculating electoral gains even before the dust has settled. No patriot shall derive such sadistic gains over soldiers' death, only a anti-nationalist can.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) February 28, 2019
What will RSS say about this? pic.twitter.com/w6wAhAg6gv
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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.
