Congress's 'credit chori' charge ahead PM's Bengaluru Metro inauguration

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate Bengaluru Metro’s Yellow Line on Sunday, the Karnataka Congress has accused the BJP of “credit chori,” alleging that he is taking undue credit for the urban mobility project.

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge outlined the project’s timeline, from its launch to the lack of adequate funding from the Centre, alleging that the BJP is now hijacking the credit.

"I welcome Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Karnataka for the inauguration of Yellow Line Metro. As BJP desperately tries to shift the focus from #VoteChori to #CreditChori by hijacking the credit for the Yellow Line phase 2, let’s set the record straight," Kharge said.

By 'Vote Chori', he was alluding to the Congress’s allegation of BJP's manipulation of voter lists, particularly in Bihar and Maharashtra.

The Minister said the Metro project, launched under the UPA Government led by Dr Manmohan Singh with the Centre initially bearing a larger share of costs than the state, saw dwindling Central support after the BJP came to power. This forced Karnataka to shoulder most expenses, the minister alleged.

"The Metro project was launched under the UPA Government led by Dr Manmohan Singh. In the first phase, the UPA Government bore a significant portion of the cost, outpacing the State Government's contribution. After BJP came to power, their commitment to the project dwindled, with the Central Government's share decreasing drastically in subsequent phases," Kharge wrote on social media.

He added, "Meanwhile, the Karnataka Government has shouldered the bulk of the expenses, contributing over Rs 12,000 crores, covering land acquisition costs and additional expenses. In stark contrast, the Central Government has provided a paltry Rs 8,000 crores, effectively washing its hands off its responsibilities. This lack of support forced BMRCL to take loans to cover the remaining project costs".

The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister further alleged that while Karnataka’s contributions to the Centre have grown year after year, the state’s returns have steadily declined, calling the Metro Yellow Line project “a glaring example” of this disparity.

"While a BJP MPs might be bending backwards to appease their political masters, especially after the fiasco with Trump, the fact remains that Karnataka stays neglected by Modi Government," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the much-awaited Phase 2 Yellow Line of Namma Metro in Bengaluru on Sunday, marking a significant expansion of the city’s metro network. He will take a metro ride to Electronic City station, lay the foundation stone for Phase 3 (Orange Line), and address the gathering.

The newly opened Yellow Line, stretching over 19 km from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra with 16 stations, has been built at a cost of around Rs 7,160 crore. Its launch will extend Bengaluru’s operational metro network to over 96 km, easing traffic congestion along key corridors such as Hosur Road, Silk Board Junction, and Electronics City Junction.

Phase 3 of the metro, for which the PM will lay the foundation stone, will span more than 44 km with 31 elevated stations and an estimated cost of Rs 15,611 crore. The Orange Line will connect residential, industrial, commercial, and educational hubs, meeting the city’s fast-growing transportation demands.

- Ends