BENGALURU, 2 JULY

Senior BJP leader R Ashoka on Wednesday hit out at State Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for criticising the Centre over the recent railway fare hike. The Railway Ministry had issued a circular on 30 June, announcing a one paisa per kilometre fare hike for non-AC classes and two paise per kilometre for all AC classes in mail and express trains, effective 1 July. Siddaramaiah demanded an immediate rollback of the decision. Ashoka defended the Centre’s move, claiming that the BJP is building new tracks, electrifying routes, and enhancing safety for millions of passengers. In contrast, he alleged, Siddaramaiah’s government was stuck at the "platform of blame games". Taking to X, Ashoka accused Siddaramaiah of "hollow concern" for the common man.