Bengaluru Metro Fare Hike Sparks BJP-Congress War; Tejasvi Surya Calls Namma Metro 'Costliest'

• A potential Bengaluru Metro fare hike next month has ignited a political dispute between the BJP and Congress.
• Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya criticized BMRCL and the Karnataka government, calling Namma Metro the 'costliest' in India with fares double other major cities.
• Surya alleged the hike aims to cover operational losses due to project delays and urged CM Siddaramaiah and DCM DK Shivakumar to reconstitute the Fare Fixation Committee.
• The Congress countered, stating Metro fares are set by a Centre-appointed Fare Fixation Committee, not the state government, and dismissed Surya's claims as 'BJP lies'.
• Surya warned of statewide protests by the BJP outside Metro stations if the 'anti-people' fare hike is implemented, also flagging Orange Line project delays.

Why It Matters: Bengaluru Metro fare hike proposal triggers a political blame game between BJP and Congress over responsibility and impact.