Bengaluru, February 9 BJP MP Tejasvi Surya was detained on Monday for staging a demonstration at the Jayanagar Metro station, demanding affordable public transport in the city, police said.
Surya, who is also the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), staged a protest at the Metro Station against the increase in Metro fares, which has been raised from Re one to Rs five depending on the distance.
The fare hike has now been put on hold.
According to Surya, this happened after the Centre's intervention.
The MP staged a demonstration with an empty trunk to convey that the state government's promises are empty.
The protest was also in response to Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's statement that Surya is an empty trunk who is more active on social media and not on the ground.
Speaking to PTI after being detained, Surya said, "Just because we are asking for affordable public transport and accountability, the government is forcing us to be arrested and detained. It's shameful."
He said that instead of providing roads, infrastructure and better amenities, the state government is "arresting" him.
Speaking to reporters, he also said, "The Metro fare hike has been put on hold for the second time due to pressure from the Union government. The state government should release a white paper on the economic situation."