Karnataka Congress workers staged a protest near the Rajajinagar and Malleswaram Mantri Mall metro stations on Tuesday, as public outrage grows over the recent steep hike in metro fares. The fare increase, which makes Bengaluru Metro the most expensive in the country, has sparked widespread criticism and a political blame game between the ruling Congress in Karnataka and the BJP-led Union government.
The protest comes a day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a similar demonstration. Both parties have been engaged in a political tussle over the fare revision, with the BJP blaming the Karnataka government and the Congress holding the Centre accountable.
A Congress worker dressed up as PM Modi held placard on the metro fare hike and visited the metro stations.
The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), a 50:50 joint venture between the Government of India (GoI) and the Government of Karnataka (GoK), implemented the fare hike based on the recommendation of the Fare Fixation Committee. The revised rates came into effect on Sunday, raising the maximum fare from Rs 60 to Rs 90 and increasing the minimum balance requirement from Rs 50 to Rs 90. The minimum fare has been increased from Rs 10 to Rs 30.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticised the BJP for its opposition to the fare hike, accusing the party of spreading "false and misleading information" to shift blame onto the state government.
"The BJP leaders are now opposing the fare hike, spreading false and misleading information to blame the Karnataka government and also misleading the public. People have the right to question and oppose any government policy-- this is their constitutional right, and I respect that," the Congress leader said.