Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday (July 14, 2025) that due to the inaugural program of Sigandur Bridge and the foundation stone projects of infrastructure projects at Sagar taluk of Shivamoga, neither he nor his ministers are joining it. Nitin Gadkari attended this program.
However, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Gadkari said in a post on the social media forum ‘X’ that Siddaramaiah was given a formal invitation to preside over the program on 11 July. In view of any possible challenge related to the program, a letter was sent on July 12, requesting his presence through digital medium.
Nitin Gadkari gave information on phone
He has also posted both letters written to the Chief Minister on ‘X’. Siddaramaiah said in response to a question on Monday, ‘None of us is participating, because I was not invited. I talked to Nitin Gadkari on the phone and informed him about it.
Siddaramaiah further said that he said that he will postpone the program. Then I wrote a letter to him. Probably due to pressure from BJP leaders, they are doing this without telling me anything. I am not going, I have a pre-determined program in Indie. The program was scheduled a month ago, I am going there.
Is there a conflict between the Center and the state?
He told reporters here, ‘None of us is going as a protest. Neither I, nor Public Works Minister, nor District In -charge Minister nor Sagar MLA. Asked if there would be no conflict between the Center and the state, the Chief Minister said, ‘He (Center) should have been invited or not, who has started the conflict. He has started confrontation. ‘Protocol’ has to be followed. This program is being held in our state, we are in a federal system.
He said, ‘We (Union Ministers) invite them to the inaugural programs in which the state also contributes to the railway and other projects. According to ‘Protocol’, he should have invited me, Public Works Minister, Local MLA, District In -charge Minister, but none of us were invited. I called Gadkari after watching the schedule of the program.
India’s second longest cable bridge
Gadkari inaugurated the ‘Sigandur Bridge’ on Monday, which is called the second longest cable bridge in India between Ambergodloo-Kalasavalli in Sagar taluka. Official sources said that this bridge has been constructed at a cost of Rs 472 crore.
Nitin Gadkari said this
In a post on ‘X’, Gadkari said that inauguration and foundation stone projects are being organized in Shivamoga, Karnataka today as part of a major step towards promoting regional contact.
He said, ‘The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Siddaramaiah, was given an official invitation to preside over the program on 11 July 2025. In view of any possible challenges related to the program, a letter was sent on July 12, requesting his presence through digital medium.
Central government is following the protocol
Gadkari further said, ‘The central government has been following the established protocol and has been constantly appreciating the contribution and cooperation of the Karnataka government and the Chief Minister. The central government is committed to cooperative federalism and close coordination with all states.
On Sunday (July 13, 2025) The Chief Minister’s Office shared a letter written by Siddaramaiah to Gadkari on July 11, in which he urged to postpone the program, saying that he was not already informed.
It is necessary to consult the state government
Citing his scheduled visit to the Indi taluk of Vijaypura district, the Chief Minister said in a letter to Gadkari that it would be more appropriate to consult the state government before planning such a program for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. He requested Gadkari to instruct the officials in this regard.
Also read:- ‘It is not wrong to secretly record the call of the partner and present it in the court’, why did the Supreme Court say this in the case of divorce