Bengaluru: Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Tuesday hit out at BJP MP Tejaswi Surya and businessman Mohandas Pai over their criticism of the state’s transport system. Reddy, citing statistics, said Karnataka’s transport services outperform BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Odisha.
Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Reddy said the BMTC — Bengaluru’s lifeline — serves around 48 lakh passengers daily. Including Metro, auto, Ola, and Uber services, about a third of the city’s 1.44 crore residents rely on public transport, he noted.
“Public transport is the backbone of a welfare state. MPs like Tejaswi Surya and Mohandas Pai, who have never used it, do not understand the system. They should know private companies like MovelnSync do not operate for public welfare,” Reddy said.
He criticised their remarks at a private symposium calling for “No more BMTC, No more Monopoly,” calling it reflective of “a capitalist mindset” that ignores the needs of workers, the middle class, and the poor.
Reddy also highlighted the impact of the Shakti scheme, noting that free bus travel for women in Bengaluru and Hubli-Dharwad increased female employment by 21-23%, contributing to higher per capita income in the state.
He contrasted the current government’s achievements — 10,000 recruitments, 5,800 new buses, construction of bus stations, and labour welfare schemes — with BJP-led states, where public transport per 1,000 people is significantly lower.
“Instead of saying ‘No More Buses,’ they should advocate for ‘More and More Buses,’” Reddy said, urging the BJP MPs to focus on strengthening transport in their own states.
