Congress MLA Belur Gopal Krishna on Tuesday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders did not want Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to attend the programme organised to inaugurate the Sigandur Chowdeshwari bridge and other highway works in Sagar on Monday, and hence he was not intimated about it well in advance.

In a press conference here, Mr. Krishna said that Mr. Siddaramaiah would have taken part in the programme if he had been intimated in advance and fixed the schedule in consultation with the State government. However, he was informed only a couple of days before the event. By then, his visit to Indi in Vijayapura was already scheduled.

“The BJP leaders thought that the Chief Minister would speak about the tax collection and the dues from the Centre. To avoid embarrassment, they did not invite him in advance. MP for Shivamogga B.Y. Raghavendra and Union Minister for Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi planned and executed the programme,” he remarked.

He maintained that the State government had been taking up many development works for the State, including the Sharavati Pumped Storage project. “It intends to generate 2,000 MW of power. The Central government has also given its consent for the project, which is being executed at a cost of ₹8,644 crore,” he said.

Regarding the opposition to the project, Mr. Krishna said that the opposition from environmentalists was expected. However, the project would not disturb the local habitats to a large extent. A few families, which would be affected, had been convinced. The government would consider their demands, including jobs, with the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited, he added.