Zameer Ahmed never asked me to make him minister, I did it for betterment of Muslims: Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, February 26: “In the last Assembly elections, the Muslims have blessed me and my party more than it used to earlier. But due to propaganda of fundamentalists and vested interests, we have lost the power”, said former chief minister Siddaramaiah.
Addressing the farewell party for 300 volunteers who are going to Umra pilgrimage, sponsored by Minority Welfare Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan at Hajj Bhavan at Thirumenahalli in the city on Tuesday, he said that those who are going to Umra pilgrimage should pray for the country, state and the entire mankind.
“Man could win everything through love and nothing could be achieved through enmity” Siddaramaiah said.
“While forming the coalition government, Zameer Ahmed Khan did not ask me to make him minister. But I have appointed him as the minister just to ensure protection and help to Muslim community and the poor”, Siddaramaiah said.
Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan said that out of 1500 persons who have been working as the volunteers in the last 22 years in Hajj camps, more than 900 volunteers did not go to Umra and Hajj pilgrimage. Now, he has been identifying such persons and sending them to Umra pilgrimage. During 2018, 250 volunteers were sent and this year, 300 volunteers were being sent for the pilgrimage. Next year, another 380 volunteers would go to Umra. Out of 300 volunteers, 120 persons had take up the pilgrimage on February 14. But there was no program on that day due to terror attack on CRPF personnel at Pulwama, he said.
“Muhammad Saleem and Rizwan Ahmed have taken up 9000 km-long bicycle ride to go to Hajj pilgrimage and their journey would take almost six months and cost Rs 3.80 lakh. They should have gone via Pakistan to reach Mecca. Due to Pulwama attack, they have boycotted that route. Instead, they have chosen to go to Mumbai first and then, they would travel till Iran by flight and from Iran, they would take up their bicycle ride till Mecca”, he said and handed over Rs 5 lakh to them personally.
“Power is not permanent to anyone. Siddaramaiah trusted me and made me minister. I will make sure I don’t disappoint him with anything nor will I disappoint my community”, he said.
Moulana Lutpulla Mazhar Rashadi, city market Jamia masjid Khathib Moulana Maqsood Imran, Moulana Muhammad Muzammil Valajahi, rural development and panchayat raj minister Krishna Bhyre Gowda and others were present.
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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.
