The war of words between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Union minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari continues, with the former taking to X to say that he was not consulted before finalising Shivamogga bridge inauguration.
The Karnataka CM said he was informed only three days before the event and he also requested rescheduling the event citing prior commitments.
The remarks by Siddaramaiah comes after a political controversy erupted between the Congress and the Bhartiya Janata Party on July 14 with the CM on Monday saying neither he nor his ministers were attending the inauguration of Sigandur bridge and foundation stone laying ceremony of infrastructure projects at Sagara taluk in Shivamogga.
They said they did not attend the inauguration, which was attended by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, as a mark of protest, as they were not invited.
However, Gadkari, who is the union minister for Road Transport and Highways 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.
Responding to Gadkari’s tweet, Siddaramaiah wrote, “Your response on the Shivamogga event is noted. However, I wish to place on record that neither I nor my office was consulted before your Ministry finalized the programme and publicly circulated the invitation with my name printed on it.”
He claimed that the official invitation was received on 11th July 2025, “merely three days prior to the event”.
“On the same day, my office responded, informing you of my prior commitment to a state-level inauguration of irrigation and development projects at Indi, Vijayapura, and requested that the event be rescheduled,” he said.
Gadkari on Monday inaugurated "Sigandur Bridge", which is said to be India's second-longest cable-stayed bridge between Ambaragodlu-Kalasavalli in Sagara taluk. The bridge has been built at a cost of Rs 472 crore, official sources said.
Gadkari in a post on 'X' said, in a major step towards boosting regional connectivity, the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony for multiple key infrastructure projects is being held today in Shivamogga, Karnataka.
"An official invitation was duly extended to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Siddaramaiah Ji, on 11th July 2025, inviting him to preside over the programme. In light of any possible scheduling challenges, a subsequent letter was sent on 12th July, requesting his virtual presence," he said.
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, Gadkari further said,"It remains committed to cooperative federalism and close coordination with all states."
However, the Chief Minister said he received the communication only three days in advance, after public invitations were issued, which “cannot be construed as due consultation or coordination.”
“True cooperative federalism demands meaningful engagement with State Governments before finalizing public programmes of such importance,” Siddaramaiah said.
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.
However, the inauguration was carried out without the Chief Minister and his ministers attending the event.
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