Bengaluru, November 2026 : Karnataka Chief Minister on Saturday defended his cordial interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of the Bengaluru Pink Line Metro and other programmes, saying political differences should not come in the way of development.
The lighter moments and friendly exchanges between the two leaders during Friday's events triggered discussions in political circles, particularly given the Congress and BJP's political rivalry in Karnataka.
Responding to questions about his interaction with the Prime Minister, Shivakumar said people were free to interpret the meeting in their own way, but he had fulfilled his responsibility as a representative of the people by raising Karnataka's demands with the Centre.
"Let anyone surmise anything. I have done my duty as a representative of the people. As a servant of all of you, I have done what is required," he told reporters in Bengaluru.
The Chief Minister emphasised that while political parties would continue to compete electorally, cooperation with the Centre was essential on matters concerning the state's development.
"I have stated openly that in politics, we will compete, and in development, we will cooperate," he said.
Mekedatu Project and Environmental Clearances
Explaining the issues discussed with Modi, Shivakumar said he had urged the Prime Minister to intervene in securing the necessary clearances for the proposed Mekedatu drinking water and balancing reservoir project.
He said Karnataka needed clearances relating to forest issues and environmental concerns to move the project forward. Shivakumar also claimed that the Supreme Court had approved the project and said political parties in the state had reached a consensus on taking an all-party delegation to New Delhi to pursue the matter.
"We need clearances on forest-related concerns and other issues. We also need environmental clearance, and I have requested the Prime Minister in this regard," he said.
The Chief Minister also said he had proposed rejecting the Kasturirangan report and urged the Centre to constitute a technical committee to examine issues relating to Bengaluru's Metro expansion.
Seeks Centre's Support for Bengaluru Metro Expansion
Shivakumar said he had sought an equal share from the Centre in funding Metro projects and requested the clearance of pending proposals to help Bengaluru achieve its target of developing 500 km of Metro lines.
He said faster approvals and financial cooperation were necessary to expand public transport infrastructure in the rapidly growing city.
On the proposed double-decker flyovers, the Chief Minister said he and Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda had explained the city's infrastructure requirements to Modi during a private interaction.
"I did not raise this issue in my speech. Both of us explained to the Prime Minister what Bengaluru requires," he said.
Pointing to the city's infrastructure constraints, Shivakumar said Bengaluru had only around eight per cent road infrastructure, compared with 18 to 20 per cent in other places.
He said acquiring land for road and flyover projects had become increasingly expensive, with compensation costs reaching around Rs 50,000 per square foot in certain areas.
The state government, he added, was willing to share the cost of constructing double-decker flyovers and had conveyed its position to the Prime Minister.
Shivakumar reiterated that he would lead an all-party delegation to New Delhi to press the Centre on Karnataka's pending demands.
Phone-Tapping Allegations and Power Bills
Asked about allegations of phone tapping, the Chief Minister said he would obtain the complete report before making any comment on the matter.
He also responded to questions about unpaid electricity bills at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi ahead of the forthcoming winter session of the state legislature.
Shivakumar said the increase in electricity expenditure was not confined to the government building, pointing to the rising cost of supplying free electricity to farmers.
"What are you saying? Not only Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, the electricity bills for free power supplied to farmers have increased from Rs 20,000 crore to Rs 30,000 crore. Due to the drought, everyone is drawing more power," he said.
He explained that farmers were using additional electricity to fill agricultural tanks, contributing to higher consumption and increased power bills. The government, he said, would take steps to address the situation.
The Chief Minister's remarks came a day after his interaction with Modi at the Bengaluru Metro event drew political attention. Shivakumar maintained that cooperation with the Centre on infrastructure, water resources and other development priorities remained important for Karnataka, irrespective of political differences.
