Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Thursday accused authorities of removing his scheduled speech from the upcoming Namma Metro Pink Line inauguration ceremony in Bengaluru. Gowda claimed the omission was a direct consequence of his persistent demands for Karnataka's rightful financial share in the significant infrastructure project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to inaugurate the 7.5-km elevated stretch of the Pink Line, connecting Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere, on Friday.
Sharing copies of programme schedules on platform X, Minister Gowda highlighted that his address was initially included in the draft agenda. However, the final schedule, circulated Wednesday night, conspicuously omitted his name. "The reward for seeking justice for Karnataka is that my speech has been cut!" Gowda stated, emphasizing that despite the state bearing a substantial portion of the Metro project's capital expenditure, he was denied a platform for raising crucial questions about financial allocations.
He reiterated his commitment to the city's development, asserting that such actions would not deter him. "You can cut my speech, but you cannot stop me from working for Bengaluru's development. We will work with even greater dedication," Gowda affirmed. This incident fuels an ongoing political debate between the ruling Congress government and the BJP regarding the Centre's and State's contributions to the Namma Metro project.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, weighed in on the burgeoning credit war. He stressed that the Prime Minister's visit and the inauguration were official government functions, urging against their politicization. Narayanaswamy noted the Congress government's claim of spending 84 percent of the project funds, with the Centre's share still pending. He underscored that neither the State nor the Centre should claim exclusive credit, suggesting the achievement belonged to the country and the state as a whole. CM D.K. Shivakumar's speech, notably, remained in the revised programme schedule.
Narayanaswamy concluded, "This is not the time to claim credit. We have to develop the State to the level of the country so that the country gets name and fame." The controversy highlights the heightened political tensions surrounding major infrastructure projects in the state capital.
Image: mangalorean.com
đź“° Source: Mangalorean News