Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Tejasvi Surya on Thursday, 12 November 2026, accused the Karnataka government of manipulating the funding figures of the Bengaluru Metro project, alleging that approximately ₹29,000 crore in loans facilitated by the Centre had been wrongly attributed to the State government's contribution. Surya made the allegations through a PowerPoint presentation at the BJP state headquarters, Jagannath Bhavan, in Bengaluru.

The Core Allegation

According to Surya, the Karnataka government shifted around ₹29,000 crore in loans — arranged for the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) with the Central government's guarantee — into the State's own contribution column, artificially inflating its apparent share in the project. He stressed that BMRCL, not the State government, is responsible for repaying these loans.

'The Central government arranged these loans for BMRCL and provided the guarantee. The State government is not repaying these loans. They will be repaid by BMRCL,' Surya said. 'Where is the State government's contribution when BMRCL is repaying the loan?' he asked.

What BMRCL Records Reportedly Show

Citing BMRCL's internal records, Surya alleged that the Central government's investment in the entire Metro project stands at 53.35 per cent (₹36,333 crore), while the State government's share is 46.65 per cent (₹41,558 crore). He also noted that the Centre and State hold a 50:50 equity stake in BMRCL, mirroring funding models used for Metro projects in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kochi.

Surya further alleged that the State government's claim — that Karnataka's contribution had risen from 79 per cent to 87 per cent across Metro phases — was based on distorted figures. He claimed that from Metro Phase I to Phase III, the Centre's contribution actually rose from 48.5 per cent to 57.9 per cent, contrary to the State's assertions.

Rejecting the Per-Kilometre Cost Comparison

Surya also dismissed the State government's claim that the Centre spends only ₹57 crore per kilometre on Metro projects while the State spends ₹297 crore per kilometre. 'There is no basis for such a claim. They have included the loan amount in their own contribution and are presenting baseless figures,' he said, adding that those alleging the Centre contributes only 16 per cent should 'declare that they do not need even that contribution.'

He also questioned whether international financial institutions would extend loans directly to a government facing financial difficulties, arguing that it was the Centre's guarantee that enabled BMRCL to secure the ₹29,000 crore in loans in the first place.

The Political Context

The row erupted ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to inaugurate the Pink Line stretch of the Namma Metro. The Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, had stated that out of a combined project outlay of ₹77,891 crore across Metro Phases 1, 2, 2A, 2B, and 3, the State is bearing ₹65,291 crore (approximately 84 per cent), with the Centre's direct contribution at just ₹12,600 crore (approximately 16 per cent). Surya also broadened his attack, alleging that State ministers had been spreading misinformation on other matters, including the RSS and ethanol policy. BJP Bengaluru South district president and MLA C.K. Ramamurthy was present at the press conference.

With PM Modi's inauguration visit providing a sharp political backdrop, the funding dispute over Namma Metro is unlikely to be resolved quickly, and both sides are expected to press their competing figures in the days ahead.