Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, BJP leaders engage in verbal duel over remarks on RSS
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge and BJP leaders on Monday engaged in a sharp spat over the former's remarks against the RSS, with both sides trading barbs over ideology and development issues.
The BJP leaders were reacting to Kharge's comments made in Bengaluru on Sunday, where he accused the RSS of indulging in "money laundering" and questioned its source of income.
"It (RSS) has a network of more than 2,500 organisations… They take money from them. I am telling — that these people are into money laundering," Kharge alleged, while asking why the organisation remained unregistered and whether it was "above law or Constitution."
Hitting back, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said in a post on 'X': "Minister Priyank Kharge, first ensure that the registration of the Congress party — which is presided over by your father and is on the verge of losing its existence on the political map — is not cancelled. Only then worry about the registration of others."
Targeting the minister over regional development, Vijayendra said the Kharge family had "contributed nothing except making 'Kalyana Karnataka' one of the most backward regions on India’s map."
"After becoming a minister, what contribution has Priyank Kharge made to the development of Kalyana Karnataka," the Shikaripura MLA asked.
Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka also attacked the minister, saying, "For four decades, enjoying power due to the blessings of the people of Kalyana Karnataka, while putting up a permanent 'come tomorrow' board when it comes to development, those who have betrayed the people of Kalyana Karnataka will not remain for long — the day of reckoning is not far."
"Abusing the RSS is like spitting at the sky," Ashoka added.
Responding on Monday, Kharge defended his remarks and countered the BJP over Kalyana Karnataka.
"Kalyana Karnataka is a backward region. If you had understood that this regional imbalance has historical and geographical reasons, the BJP-led Central Government would not have refused to grant special status under Article 371J," he said.
"Why did the BJP lack the willpower to bring this backward region forward? Why did the KKRDB allocation decline during your government’s tenure," he asked.
He also took a swipe at Vijayendra, saying, "Was not your father B S Yediyurappa a four-time Chief Minister? Why was Shivamogga not developed like Singapore?"
"The Anti-Communal Task Force was not formed to draw rangoli designs, but to curb communal conflicts and maintain peace and harmony," Kharge added.
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Min. Priyank Kharge to expresses concern over implementation of VB-G Ram G
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.
Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.
He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.
Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.
He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.
He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.
Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.
The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.
“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.
