BJP announces Karnataka protests over bus fare hike

The Bharatiya Janata Party announced protests across Karnataka on November 5 against higher bus fares, with demonstrations planned at district headquarters and in Bengaluru. R. Ashoka, the state’s Leader of the Opposition, said the party would also protest inside and outside the legislature. The demonstrations were announced as the revised fares took effect on November 4. Ashoka alleged that the state government owed transport corporations Rs 5,650.95 crore and said paying the dues could have avoided the fare increase. The amount and his explanation were claims by the opposition leader; the reports did not provide a response from the state government on the alleged dues or whether clearing them would have changed the fare decision. The fare revision, announced by Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh, raised Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation fares by an average of 23%, according to reports. Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation fares rose by 33% to 35%. The changes also apply to ordinary and express services operated by the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation. Examples of revised fares include a...