Karnataka transport ministries under fire as BJP demands immediate release of pending funds

The BJP’s senior leader R. Ashok used the X platform on Wednesday to lambast Karnataka’s transport ministry, saying the department has turned a blind eye to the dire financial state of the state transport corporations. He criticized Transport Minister Bairathi Suresh for focusing on photo‑ops at bus stands instead of addressing the cash shortfall that threatens daily operations. Ashok claimed that the corporations can no longer afford diesel, essential spare parts or employee salaries because the promised reimbursements for the women’s free‑travel component of the Shakti Yojana have not been transferred. He called for the immediate release of the outstanding ₹5,651 crore and warned that the BJP would organise protests in support of transport employees if the government does not act swiftly.