Congress govt., not Centre, recommended metro fare hike as treasury is empty, says Bommai

State government recommended Namma Metro fare hike due to bankruptcy, not Union government; political pressure hinders action against attackers.

It was the State government that recommended Namma Metro fare hike as the State Treasury has gone completely bankrupt under the Congress rule, BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said in Hubballi on Sunday.

“The metro fare hike was effected as the State government itself recommended it, as per the directions of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This clearly shows that the government treasury is empty and the government is trying to hike the cost of everything,” he told reporters.

The Union government is not responsible for the fare hike. Such decisions are taken by a committee that has State government officers. The State has complete authority over such decisions. It has become clear now that the State government itself recommended the fare hike and it was done following Mr. Siddaramaiah’s directive, Mr. Bommai said.

To a query on the Udayagiri incident in Mysuru, Mr. Bommai said that till now, the State government has failed to take any strict action against those accused in attacks on the police station for political reasons.

“When the government decided to withdraw cases against those involved in the Old Hubballi riots, it became clear as to whose side the government is on,” he said.

“Earlier, some people from the PFI attacked Congress MLA Tanveer Sait. The same forces seem to be regrouping now. It seems the government lacks the strength to protect people. The police are aware of everything regarding the attacks, but they are unable to take action due to political pressure. The Chief Minister must take this issue seriously,” he said.