Bengaluru, Nov. 12 -- Karnataka's demand for a greater share of Central funding for Bengaluru's Metro expansion has taken a political turn, with Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda alleging that his speech was dropped from the programme for the inauguration of the Pink Line by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he raised the issue of the state's financial contribution.

The minister's allegation has brought the question of Karnataka's representation at a high-profile Central government event into focus, even as the Congress government prepares to press the Centre for a larger financial commitment towards Bengaluru's urban infrastructure.

Gowda alleged that his speech was removed from the inauguration programme followi...