BJP slams Congress govt. over bus fare hike, threatens stir

Bus ticket prices have been increased by 23% to 35% bringing additional burden to bear upon commuters already struggling with rising living costs in the State.

​The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday strongly condemned the Congress-led State government’s decision to hike bus fares by 23% to 35%, characterizing the steep revision as a heavy blow to the common people already struggling with rising living costs.

​Addressing a press conference in Yadgir, BJP district unit president Basavaraj Veebhutihalli criticized the Congress administration for repeatedly burdening citizens.

He pointed out that the Congress government previously increased the prices of essential commodities like milk and curd and it has now compounded the public’s distress with an “unscientific” hike in public transport fares.

“Pervasive corruption at all levels, severe delays in extending public welfare benefits, stagnant development work and overall administrative inefficiency have made the lives of ordinary citizens miserable,” Mr. Veebhutihalli said.

He added that recent political developments, including sting operations, have dragged the State’s politics to an unprecedented low.

​Announcing the party’s course of action, the BJP leader declared that a comprehensive agitation will be launched across the district to protest against the Congress government’s anti-people policies and governance failures.

​Mr. Veebhutihalli also confirmed that the BJP will extend full support to the proposed Yadgir bandh called jointly by the local farmers unions, pro-Kannada groups, Dalit organizations and other civil society outfits.

Lalita Anpur, Rachanagouda Mudnal, Mahesh Reddy Mudnal, Devendra Nath Nad, Nagaratna Kuppi, Parashuram Kurkundi, Hanumanth Itagi, Veerupakshayya Swamy and Chandru Kadechur were present.