Bengaluru (Karnataka), July 14: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and several Congress leaders have decided to boycott the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Kalasavalli-Ambargondlu Bridge in Shivamogga district, citing a breach of protocol and lack of coordination from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Siddaramaiah said he had requested Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to postpone the event, as he was scheduled to attend another government function in Vijayapura on the same day. Though Gadkari initially agreed, the event is proceeding as planned under pressure from local BJP leaders, he alleged.
“Protocol has been violated. None of us will attend the program. Congress MLAs from the region, the District Minister, and the Minister for Public Works are staying away,” Siddaramaiah told reporters.
The Chief Minister claimed the BJP is attempting to create a rift between the state and central governments. He added that neither he nor his office was consulted before finalizing the ceremony, despite his name being included in the draft invitation card.
Backing the CM’s stand, Congress MP Surjewala accused the Centre of routinely disrespecting Karnataka and its leadership.
“This is not just an insult to the Chief Minister but to the seven crore people of Karnataka,” he said. “They treat Karnataka like a money-making machine—taking taxes but giving back little.”
In his earlier letter to Gadkari, Siddaramaiah urged better coordination in organizing such state-level events, and requested a new date for the foundation laying ceremony to ensure his participation.