CM, ministers boycott inauguration of Shivamogga bridge by Gadkari; claim they were not invited

Shivamogga/Bengaluru | Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday inaugurated India's second-longest cable-stayed Sigandur bridge in Shivamogga, an event boycotted by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his cabinet colleagues as a mark of protest, claiming they were not invited.

However, Gadkari, in a post on 'X' said, an official invitation was duly extended to Siddaramaiah on July 11, inviting him to preside over the programme. In light of any possible scheduling challenges, a subsequent letter was sent on July 12, requesting his virtual presence.

He has also posted both the letters addressed to the CM on 'X'.

"None of us is participating. I was not invited. I spoke to Nitin Gadkari over the phone and told him, he said he would postpone. Then I wrote a letter to him. Probably BJP leaders might have put pressure, without telling me anything, they are doing it. I'm not going. I have a pre-scheduled event at Indi. It was scheduled a month ago, I'm going there," Siddaramaiah said on Monday in response to a question.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said, "As a mark of protest, none of us are going, neither I nor PWD Minister nor district in-charge Minister or Sagara MLA." Asked wouldn't it lead to friction between centre and state, the CM said, "They (centre) should invite, right? Who has started the friction? They have started the friction.

The protocol has to be followed. The event is being held in our state, we are in a federal system." Refuting Siddaramaiah's claims, Gadkari in his post also said that the Central Government continues to uphold established protocols and has consistently appreciated the contributions and cooperation of the Government of Karnataka and the Chief Minister.

"It remains committed to cooperative federalism and close coordination with all states," he added.

The event was attended by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Senior BJP leader B S Yediyurappa, Shivamogga MP B Y Raghavendra, among others.

Taking to 'X', BJP MP Raghavendra said that on July 9 he had respectfully invited the Chief Minister to inaugurate the bridge. However, how reasonable is it that the CM is publicly saying that the invitation has reached him late? "This bridge, built over the Sharavathi river, is the result of six decades of struggle and the sweat of thousands of people. Not only this, but it is also a reflection of the feelings of thousands of people. I request you not to hurt their feelings," he said.

He expressed that it is okay to politicise each other on various issues.

"But I think it is an insult to the people of the Sharavathi backwaters region to politicise development even after the invitation letter arrives in advance. I urge you to immediately retract your statement before the people of the state and try to tell the truth," he added.

According to officials, the bridge constructed across the Sharavathi backwaters between Ambaragodlu-Kalasavalli in Sagara taluk has been built at a cost of Rs 472 crore.

This bridge is expected to significantly reduce the distance from Sagara to the villages around Sigandur, a place which is known for the Chowdeshwari temple.

The Chief Minister's office on Sunday evening had shared a letter by Siddaramaiah to Gadkari dated July 11, urging him to postpone the event, stating that he was not informed in advance.

Citing his scheduled visit to Indi taluk in Vijayapura district, the CM, in a letter to Gadkari, said it would have been more appropriate for MoRTH to have consulted with the state government before scheduling such a programme, and requested him to instruct the officials in this regard.