Himanta Biswa Sarma calls Priyank Kharge a “First-Class Idiot”; Kharge hits back saying CM twisted h
Guwahati/Bengaluru: A sharp political war of words erupted between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Karnataka Minister for IT and BT Priyank Kharge on Monday after Kharge’s remarks questioning the availability of “talent” in Assam and Gujarat triggered widespread outrage.
Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Chief Minister Sarma launched a scathing attack on the Congress leader, calling him a “first-class idiot” and accusing him of insulting the youth of Assam. “Priyank Kharge is a first-class idiot. He has insulted Assamese youth, and Congress has not yet condemned this. Perhaps we might file a case against him because he said Assam does not have educated youth. It is an insult to the entire Assamese youth,” Sarma said.
The controversy began when Priyank Kharge, son of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, questioned why major semiconductor projects were being set up in Assam and Gujarat instead of Karnataka, which he claimed had superior infrastructure and engineering talent.
“Why are semiconductor industries going to Assam and Gujarat when they actually want to come to Bengaluru? All the investments meant for Karnataka are being arm-twisted by the Central government to go to Gujarat. What is there in Gujarat? Is there talent there? What is there in Assam? Is there talent there?” Kharge had remarked during an interaction on Sunday.
The statement quickly snowballed into a major political controversy, with BJP leaders across the country slamming Kharge’s remarks as “arrogant and insulting.” Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika called his statement “deplorable and unbecoming of a public representative,” while BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress minister of demeaning the youth of both Assam and Gujarat.
Responding to the backlash, Priyank Kharge issued a strong rebuttal on social media and in media statements, accusing Himanta Biswa Sarma of deliberately twisting his words. “As usual, the BJP and CM Himanta Biswa Sarma are twisting my words. My statement was clear and specific — it was about how semiconductor companies were being pressured to set up in Gujarat and Assam, even though they had expressed a clear preference for Karnataka due to our engineering talent and established ecosystem,” Kharge said.
The Karnataka minister further lashed out at the Assam government’s performance, citing NITI Aayog’s latest report. “After nearly a decade of BJP rule, Assam today ranks among the bottom five states in crucial development indicators like health, education, and economic growth. 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 alleged.
Kharge added that instead of giving political spin to his remarks, Sarma should focus on improving governance in Assam. “Why are Assam’s young people leaving their state to find work elsewhere? When Congress returns to power in Assam, our focus will be on skilling, employability, and rebuilding faith in governance. We will 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 third-rate crook,” he said in a sharp counterattack.
The political spat has drawn national attention, with leaders from both parties exchanging barbs online. While BJP leaders framed Kharge’s statement as an insult to northeastern states, Congress circles defended him as merely highlighting the Centre’s alleged bias in diverting investments away from Karnataka.
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JK: Fire breaks out in commercial building near Lal Chowk, 19 gas cylinders recovered
Srinagar (PTI): A fire broke out in a five-storey commercial building near the Lal Chowk city centre here on Saturday, but was doused before it could spread in the congested business hub, officials said.
They said firefighters recovered 19 gas cylinders during the operation and there were no casualties in the incident.
Assistant Director, Fire and Emergency Services, Aqib Mir, said, "The fire originated from the attic portion of the building, which houses the kitchen of a restaurant. The cause of the fire is being ascertained."
"The attic was severely damaged. There were no casualties," he said.
The firefighters managed to contain the damage by swiftly dousing the blaze using a hydraulic platform, Mir said.
During the firefighting operation, 19 gas cylinders were recovered from the spot, he said.
"We have informed the concerned police station," he added.
Mir appealed to people not to store combustible substances at home or commercial places.
