Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said in a light moment on Saturday that he had no money with him during a ride on Bengaluru metro’s new Pink Line, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pay for his ticket by swiping his own card. The episode took place a day after Modi inaugurated the line on Friday.
Recounting the exchange to reporters during a separate metro journey from Kalena Agrahara to SG Palya, Shivakumar said: “I did not have money with me, so I told him, ‘you buy my ticket’. He swiped his card for me as well.”
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited said Shivakumar spoke to commuters, sought their views on the new corridor and interacted with the woman operating the train.
His remarks came amid a dispute between the state government and the Centre over financing the expansion of Bengaluru’s metro network. Shivakumar, a Congress leader, said political disagreements should not prevent the two sides from working together on infrastructure and other development projects.
“We all have to work together in the interest of the nation. Politics should be restricted to fighting elections. Let us do politics when it comes to politics. Shouldn’t there be a difference between development and politics? He (Modi) wants development to happen,” he said.
After inaugurating the Pink Line on Friday, Modi travelled with Shivakumar, Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and Bharatiya Janata Party MP Tejasvi Surya.
Shivakumar described his equation with Modi as one based on personal regard and mutual respect. He said Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge also treated him with affection and respect. “Not everyone has the same leadership qualities. Some people tend to hold themselves back. I am not like that. I take the initiative, go forward and express my views,” he said.
Pointing to Karnataka’s contribution to the national economy and workforce, the chief minister said the state was the country’s second-highest taxpayer and second-highest GST contributor. “How can development happen without Karnataka? We produce 1.5 lakh engineers and 13,940 doctors every year. We also produce nursing staff and professionals in various other fields. Where do all these people go? They contribute to different parts of the country. Therefore, only when Karnataka grows, India grows,” he said.