BENGALURU, 3 JAN

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers organised protests in Bengaluru on Friday over the 15-per cent fare hike on the Karnataka State Road Transportation Corporation (KSRTC) buses.

Leader of Opposition R Ashoka slammed the Congress government over the hike and said that there was no money in Chief Minister Siddaramiah’s pocket, which is why he resorted to the hike.

Ashoka said, "There has been a 15 per cent hike in the fare charges. This should not be done. There is no money in the pocket of Siddaramiah. That is why they are doing this. He is the worst CM in the history of Karnataka. The KSRTC made profits when I was the transport minister, but when Siddaramiah came, it is making losses. Siddaramiah will apologize to people for the hike and again hike the fares."

"They have made bus travel free for women, but doubled it for men. Ramalinga Reddy blamed petrol and diesel price rise for the hike. Every two years, there is a rise in petrol prices. It was there during our government also, but we did not raise the bus fares. Karnataka will soon become Himachal Pradesh. A 15-per cent hike is too much. How will people afford it? Private taxis fares are now cheaper than KSRTC bus rides," he added.

"BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, "This is the Khata Khat Loot model of the Congress party. Wherever Congress goes, loot, inflation and destruction of the economy follow. Today in Karnataka, water, petrol, diesel and milk prices have been increased. The bus fare is the latest. "

Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, "The BJP is protesting under Ashoka and other leaders. When Yediyurappa was the CM, there was a hike of 12 per cent. Why did BJP increase the fares when they were in power? They left a Rs 5,900 crore a liability for us. Let them ask the Prime Minister to reduce the price of diesel. We will revert the hike."

Minister HK Patil said, "This 15 per cent increase is because of the deficit that the corporation is currently facing. —ANI