A political controversy erupted between the Congress and the Bhartiya Janata Party on July 14 with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah 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.
He has also posted both the letters addressed to the CM on "X'.
"None of us are participating, I was not invited, I spoke to Nitin Gadkari over the phone and told him, he said he will 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 Shivamogga, he said, "As a mark of protest none of us are going, neither me nor PWD Minister nor district in-charge Minister or Sagara MLA." Asked wouldn't it lead to a friction between centre and state, the CM said, "They (centre) should invite right? Who has started the friction? They have started the friction. Protocol has to be followed. The event is being held in our state, we are in a federal system." "In Railways and other projects for which the state too contributes, we invite them (central ministers) for the inaugural programmes. As per protocol they should have invited me, PWD Minister, local MLA, district incharge Minister, but none of us were invited. I had called Gadkari after seeing the programme schedule," he added.
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, Gardkari further said,"It remains committed to cooperative federalism and close coordination with all states." 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.
With inputs from PTI
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