Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July14 (ANI): Karnataka Minister for Rural Development Priyank Kharge on Monday criticised the Central government over the inauguration of Kalasavalli-Ambargondlu bridge in Karnataka's Shivamogga district.

Kharge's remarks follows the boycott of the inauguration of the bridge by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his Cabinet colleagues, and Congress MLAs as a mark of protest after the CM's request to postpone the event on another date was rejected by the Centre.

The Karnataka Minister accused the Centre of doing 'politics' over the issue.

'This habit has been followed by the Central government for over a decade now. We were also in Delhi earlier, but we have never done this kind of politics. We would follow the protocols and structure, giving due respect to the state government and local representatives. Now, someone from Delhi decides that this is the time to inaugurate something and sends the invitation very late, showing that you are invited, but you can't make it to the event,' Kharge told ANI.

He added, 'They are inaugurating projects on video conference and claiming the propriety. We have also invested money in this, given the structure and land. Everything has been happening only from Delhi, as if the state government has no role in it. This is wrong.'

Earlier on Monday, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple key infrastructure projects, including the Kalasavalli-Ambargondlu bridge in Shivamogga.

The bridge and the approach roads have been constructed at a cost of over Rs 473 crore by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The cable-stayed bridge across the Sharavati River backwaters reconnects villages severed by the 1960s Linganmakki dam construction.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa accompanied Gadkari to the occasion. Villagers decorated the bridge with celebratory mango leaves. The structure particularly benefits devotees visiting Sigandur's Chowdeshwari temple, drastically reducing travel time. (ANI)