A heated political fight has erupted between Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after a comment on semiconductor projects turned into a personal battle on social media.
Kharge’s Comment Sparks Row
The controversy began when Priyank Kharge claimed that semiconductor projects meant for Karnataka were being shifted to Gujarat and Assam under pressure from the central government. He said Bengaluru was the natural hub for such industries because of its strong talent pool and technology ecosystem. Kharge accused the BJP-led Centre of playing politics with industrial growth, saying, “All the investments meant for Karnataka are being arm-twisted by the Centre.”
Sarma’s Sharp Reaction
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reacted strongly, calling Kharge a “first-class idiot” and accusing him of insulting the youth of Assam. He also warned that his government might take legal action against Kharge for his “derogatory” remark. Sarma further said that Congress leaders should apologise for such statements instead of staying silent.
The Assam BJP joined the attack, posting on X (formerly Twitter), “Hello Teddy Boy, writing long essays on X doesn’t make you a semiconductor expert.” The party also mocked Kharge for his comments about Assam, saying he should “look at his own district, which still tops the poverty chart in South India.”
Kharge Hits Back
Unmoved by the criticism, Kharge replied on X that Sarma was trying to “whitewash his failures” and twist his words for political gain. He said, “The only thing Mr Sarma has managed to grow is his own wealth.” Kharge also alleged that corruption in Assam was rising under Sarma’s rule, leaving young people jobless.
The Congress leader predicted that the BJP’s rule in Assam would end in 2026, promising that a future Congress government would focus on “skilling, employability, and restoring public trust.”
