It all happened recently during the construction of an annexe to the existing Karnataka Bhavan, also called Cauvery, situated on Kautilya Marg in the up market Chanakyapuri area.

The Karnataka Government had entrusted the task of constructing the new building to a private company. As the construction activities involved pulling down old structures and digging up land to raise the new building, most of the works were taken up only in the night. The restriction on movement of trucks in these areas in the day was also a reason to execute the works after dusk.

Despite the noise from the civil work all was well until Modi came to stay at Gujarat Bhavan, located next door.

Noisy upsets

According to reliable sources, Chief Minister Modi was upset when he woke in the middle of the night due to the noise. He immediately complained to Delhi Police and the New Delhi Municipal Corporation authorities. Acting upon his complaint, the police swung into action and halted the works.

It was only weeks later, thanks to pleadings by the officials of the Bhavan and the construction company did the NDMC authorities permitted resumption of work with several conditions. As a result, the construction of the building is now running behind schedule. Before granting permission to resumption of work, police and NDMC officials made us to run from pillar to post, an officer of Karnataka Government told Deccan Herald on condition on anonymity.

Interestingly, no complaint has come from the Jammu and Kashmir House, situated on the other side of Karnataka Bhavan.

Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Gulam Nabi Azad, who is also currently busy in campaigning for Congress in Karnataka, has said often that he has a soft corner for Karnataka.

He was AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka when the party romped back to power in 1999.