Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (File).
- The Kalasavalli-Ambargondlu bridge in Karnataka's Shivamogga is India's second-longest cable-stayed bridge
- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he won't attend the inauguration claiming no invitation had been sent
- Siddaramaiah criticised the central government for protocol violations
The opening of a bridge in Karnataka Monday has created a divide between the ruling Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party that is in power at the centre, after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah objected to the lack of representatives from the state government at the inaguration ceremony. The government responded by sharing a July 11 letter - from three days before the opening - inviting the Chief Minister.
The Kalasavalli-Ambargondlu, or the Sigandur bridge - India's second-longest cable-stayed bridge, 2.44km long and built at a cost of Rs 473 crore - in Shivamogga district is to be inaugurated later today, but the Chief Minister, his Public Works Minister, and local Congress MLAs will stay away.
"They should invite us right? Who created this centre-state tussle? They created it ... they should follow protocols. It's happening in our state," a peeved Siddaramaiah told reporters.
The Congress leader - also battling a power grab by his deputy, DK Shivakumar - said he spoke to Nitin Gadkari, the Union Ministe for Road Transport and Highways, and asked him to postpone the programme. "He said he would... but now, bowing to the pressure from local BJP leaders, they are going ahead with the event," Siddaramaiah complained.
Bengaluru | Regarding the controversy about his absence from the inauguration of the Kalasavalli-Ambargondlu Bridge, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says, "I had called Nitin Gadkari and asked him to postpone the program. He said he would postpone it. But now, bowing to the pressure... pic.twitter.com/OIiBlo6K09
— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2025
"I have not received any invitation. We always extend cooperation to railway projects... they invite us for those. But here, protocol has been violated. They are deliberately creating a rift between the central and state governments," he said, pointing also to scheduling conflicts.
On Sunday too the Chief Minister had said it would have been appropriate for Mr Gadkari's office to contact him and plan the event at a mutually convenient time, given he is expected to attend various programmes in Vijayapura district, which is over 400km from Shivamogga.
READ | 'Not Intimated Earlier': Siddaramaiah Wants Bridge Opening Postponed
It wasn't just the Chief Minister questioning the apparent lack of protocol from the federal government; the Congress' Shivamogga district-in-charge Madhu Bangarappa said he too had not been invited.
Mr Bangarappa also criticised the Road Transport Ministry for "disrespecting" Siddaramaiah.
However, this morning the Mr Gadkari's office released copies of two letters, dated July 11 and July 12 - each signed by the Union Minister - that invited the Chief Minister to the inauguration. The second letter also invited Siddaramaiah to join via a video link if he could not make it to the ceremony itself.
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.
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) July 14, 2025
An official invitation was duly extended to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri… pic.twitter.com/yDPbRdsygd
"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," Mr Gadkari said on X.
With input from agencies
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