‘Miffed’ Manmohan Singh to miss Bangalore Metro launch

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh disappointed Bangaloreans on Friday as he declined state government's invitation to inaugurate Bangalore Metro. But nobody is complaining as chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda announced the date October 20 for Metro launch without wasting any more time as the Deepavali gift for Bangaloreans.

Union Urban Development minister Kamalnath will inaugurate the at 11am on October 20 and Union railway minister Dinesh Dvivedi would be the chief guest, Gowda declared in Delhi after meeting Kaman Nath and Dvivedi to personally invite them to do the honour.

Singh's refusal to participate in the event has sent tongues wagging in Delhi's corridors of powers. The PM in a letter has expressed his inability to accept the invitation due to other pressing engagements, but the rumours that the PM is said to be miffed at chief minister Gowda for just sending a letter of invitation instead of personally inviting him.

Gowda, who is in Delhi to attend BJP national executive meet, expressed his displeasure at the reports and stated that he had personally met Singh and requested him to convey a date of convenience for inaugurating the Metro.