Bharuch bridge: Ahmed Patel writes to Nitin Gadkari

Patel, referring to Gadkari’s speech at the inauguration of the cable bridge on March 7, said, “The speech claimed that after your appointment as the Union Surface Transport Minister in May 2014, you terminated a previous contract to build this bridge due to non-performance and issued a fresh tender at a significantly lower price. I am sorry to state, this claim of yours is divorced from the truth.”

Patel’s letter then enlists a chronology of events pertaining to the construction of the bridge. Patel’s letter refers to an earlier sequence of correspondence with Gadkari regarding the facts of the bridge and says, “I have always held you in high esteem and hence, I am disappointed by your altering of facts to suit a political agenda. The Prime Minister’s rich track record of relying on half truths seems to have had a profound influence on you. We are guided by a sense of duty towards people, and this should not be distracted by any political agenda. I would be grateful if this record could be set straight.”