Bengaluru: Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Tuesday slammed BJP MP Tejaswi Surya and businessman Mohandas Pai over their criticism of the state’s transport system, calling their remarks “reflective of a capitalist mindset” that ignores workers, the poor, and the middle class.
Reddy cited statistics showing Karnataka’s transport services outperform BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Odisha. Highlighting the BMTC’s role as Bengaluru’s lifeline, he said it serves 48 lakh passengers daily, and along with Metro, auto, Ola, and Uber, about a third of the city’s 1.44 crore residents rely on public transport.
“The Shakti scheme has increased female employment by 21-23% in Bengaluru and Hubli-Dharwad, boosting per capita income. Public transport is a welfare state responsibility, not a profit-making venture,” Reddy said.
He pointed out that in the past 2 years and 5 months, the government added 5,800 new buses, 10,000 staff, constructed new bus stations, and implemented multiple labour welfare schemes. “Instead of saying ‘No More Buses,’ they should call for ‘More and More Buses,’” he added, urging BJP leaders to strengthen transport in their own states.