Karnataka BJP Protests Fare Increase by Distributing Roses to Male Commuters

Bengaluru, Jan 3 (NationPress) In a distinctive demonstration, the Karnataka BJP protested on Friday at the Kempe Gowda Bus Station located in Bengaluru's Majestic area by handing out roses to male passengers in response to a 15% bus fare hike enacted by the Congress administration.

The protest was spearheaded by the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, R. Ashoka, and the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy.

During the event, certain activists donned masks representing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, chanting slogans against them and the Congress government.

The leaders informed passengers, after distributing roses, that the increased ticket prices were a “gift” from the ruling Congress party.

High tensions arose when police tried to hinder the BJP leaders from giving out the roses. Ashoka lost his temper, warning the officers that he had noted their names and that the Congress administration wouldn’t last long.

“You wish to assault me? Use the baton and strike me. You can even imprison me. Be cautious before resorting to police brutality against me. Don’t you dare touch me. We are not here to protest; we are here to distribute roses to passengers,” Ashoka stated to the law enforcement personnel.

Later, addressing the media, Ashoka commented, “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is intent on ruining the lives of the populace and has presented a wonderful New Year gift to the state. He has accomplished a remarkable feat for the people. In light of this, we are distributing roses to male passengers.”

“The Congress government assumed power by promising five guarantees without increasing prices. Today, everything from diesel and petrol to other essentials has experienced price surges,” Ashoka criticized.

Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, also speaking at the event, condemned the government, asserting, “While the government offers free travel for women, it places a heavier financial burden on men.”

He further denounced the government for imposing high costs on essential services.

“We have witnessed hikes in the prices of milk, electricity rates, stamp duty, registration fees, and various other taxes,” he remarked.

He accused the government of neglecting development while concentrating on trivial issues.

Narayanaswamy claimed that the Congress government’s treasury was depleted and that the administration was engaged in actions detrimental to the public, making survival challenging.

“The government has introduced three new taxes in three days,” he commented critically.

Former CM and BJP MP Jagadish Shettar, speaking in Hubballi, stated that the Congress-led administration was responsible for the bus fare increase.

He noted that due to the government’s mismanagement, all four RTCs were incurring losses, and the government had not cleared pending dues after initiating the free travel scheme for women.

“Regardless of how much the ticket price rises, the RTCs will continue to face losses,” Shettar emphasized.

In response to the bus fare hike, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy stated that the people were not taken aback by the fare increase.

“In a couple of days, they will acclimate to the new fares. Diesel and petrol prices have been raised by Rs 2 to Rs 3, stamp duty and guidance values have increased, alcohol prices have risen, and the government is already discussing hiking water bills and milk prices,” Kumaraswamy added.

Reacting to the BJP protest, state Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy questioned why the bus fare was raised during the previous BJP administration. “The BJP leaders overlooked development during their governance. They incurred a loan of Rs 5,900 crore, and we are currently repaying it. Why didn’t they protest when the LPG gas cylinder subsidy was withdrawn?” he asked.

The Karnataka government has enacted a 15% increase in the Road Transport Corporation (RTC) bus fare, which will take effect from January 5.

This fare adjustment affects all four transport corporations, including city buses and luxury buses, and is anticipated to generate an additional monthly revenue of Rs 74.85 crore.

For the ‘Shakti’ free travel for women initiative, Rs 5,015 crore has been allocated in the current financial year by the state government, with a monthly grant of Rs 417.92 crore provided to the four corporations.