BJP's Tejasvi Surya protests Bengaluru Metro fare hike with 'Khali trunk', detained
BJP MP Tejasvi who tried to enter the Bengaluru Metro station with a trunk, opened it at the station to demonstrate that it was empty, calling it a "khali trunk" meant to represent what he alleged was the financial condition of the Karnataka government. Following the altercation, he was detained by the police.
A heated confrontation broke out at a Bengaluru Metro station after BJP MP Tejasvi Surya was stopped by police from boarding a train with a trunk, which he used as a symbolic protest against the proposed metro fare hike and the state’s financial management.
According to officials, Surya questioned the restriction on carrying the trunk inside the Metro premises and got into a verbal exchange with police personnel. He later opened the trunk at the station to demonstrate that it was empty, calling it a “khali trunk” meant to represent what he alleged was the financial condition of the Karnataka government. Following the altercation, he was detained by the police.
In a post on X, Surya said his arrest would not silence him and accused the Congress-led state government of acting against him for “exposing the truth.” He claimed the “khali trunk” symbolised weak state finances and rising costs faced by citizens, including increasing Metro fares.
Surya demanded that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah present a White Paper on the state’s finances in the upcoming Budget, questioning why Karnataka’s finances were weakening and why public services were becoming costlier. He also called for restoring financial support to the Metro system, arguing that this would help bring down fares.
The incident comes amid controversy over the proposed fare revision on the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) network. Days after facing strong backlash from commuters and sparking a political confrontation between the state government and the Centre, BMRCL announced that the planned fare hike would be put on hold.
In a media statement issued Saturday, BMRCL said its February 5 decision to implement the annual fare revision from February 9 had been deferred until further orders. The corporation added that a final decision would be taken after a review by its board.
A heated confrontation broke out at a Bengaluru Metro station after BJP MP Tejasvi Surya was stopped by police from boarding a train with a trunk, which he used as a symbolic protest against the proposed metro fare hike and the state’s financial management.
According to officials, Surya questioned the restriction on carrying the trunk inside the Metro premises and got into a verbal exchange with police personnel. He later opened the trunk at the station to demonstrate that it was empty, calling it a “khali trunk” meant to represent what he alleged was the financial condition of the Karnataka government. Following the altercation, he was detained by the police.
In a post on X, Surya said his arrest would not silence him and accused the Congress-led state government of acting against him for “exposing the truth.” He claimed the “khali trunk” symbolised weak state finances and rising costs faced by citizens, including increasing Metro fares.
Surya demanded that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah present a White Paper on the state’s finances in the upcoming Budget, questioning why Karnataka’s finances were weakening and why public services were becoming costlier. He also called for restoring financial support to the Metro system, arguing that this would help bring down fares.
The incident comes amid controversy over the proposed fare revision on the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) network. Days after facing strong backlash from commuters and sparking a political confrontation between the state government and the Centre, BMRCL announced that the planned fare hike would be put on hold.
In a media statement issued Saturday, BMRCL said its February 5 decision to implement the annual fare revision from February 9 had been deferred until further orders. The corporation added that a final decision would be taken after a review by its board.