Political Row Erupts Between Karnataka's Priyank Kharge and Assam CM Over Semiconductor Investment Comments

Bengaluru:

Karnataka minister and Congress leader Priyank Kharge launched a fierce rebuttal against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday, claiming his statements about semiconductor investments were deliberately misinterpreted by the BJP.

Taking to social media platform X, Kharge clarified: "As usual, the BJP and CM Himanta Biswa Sarma are twisting my words. My statement is clear and very specific; it was about how semiconductor companies were being pressured to set up in Gujarat and Assam, even when they had expressed a clear interest in Karnataka because of our engineering talent and established ecosystem."

The Karnataka minister heavily criticized CM Sarma regarding Assam's development performance, highlighting that under nearly a decade of BJP governance, Assam ranks among the bottom five states in crucial development metrics such as health, education, and economic growth according to NITI Aayog's latest assessment.

Kharge further alleged that "The only thing Mr Sarma has managed to grow is his own wealth. Every major scam or corruption case seems to trace back to his doorstep, while the youth of Assam are left without jobs or opportunities."

He challenged the Assam Chief Minister to focus on substantive issues rather than political rhetoric: "Instead of trying to whitewash his failures by giving my statements political spin, the Chief Minister should ask himself what he's done for the young people of his state. Why are they leaving Assam to find work elsewhere?"

Looking toward the future, Kharge expressed confidence in Congress's electoral prospects in Assam, stating they would prioritize "skilling, employability and rebuilding faith in governance" upon returning to power. He promised to create "an environment where talent thrives in every corner of the state and young people are free from the grip of corrupt governance and divisive politics of a 3rd-rate crook."

The controversy originated from Kharge's Sunday remarks questioning the decision to establish semiconductor industries in Assam and Gujarat rather than Bengaluru, where he asked, "What is there in Gujarat and Assam? Is there talent there?" These comments provoked significant backlash from political opponents who accused him of insulting other states.

In response, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called Priyank Kharge a "first-class idiot" on Monday. "He has insulted Assamese youth, and Congress has not yet condemned this. Perhaps, we might file a case against him because he has said that Assam does not have educated youth. It is an insult to the entire Assamese youth," CM Sarma declared.