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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Ready to face no-confidence motion, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah
Hassan (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that the Congress government led by him was ready to face the no-confidence motion if moved by the opposition during the legislature session from December 8.
With Deputy CM D K Shivakumar by his side, he reiterated that they would both abide by the high command's decision on the leadership issue.
"Let them (opposition) bring in a no-confidence motion or adjournment motion or any other motion. We are ready to face it. Ours is an open book, transparent government. We are ready to face anything," Siddaramaiah said in response to a question.
However, BJP state President B Y Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka, clarified that the party, along with the JD(S) has not discussed or decided anything so far regarding moving a no-confidence motion against the government.
ALSO READ: CM Siddaramaiah labels Kumaraswamy 'Manuvadi' over Bhagavad Gita curriculum push
The winter session of the Karnataka legislature will begin in Belagavi, bordering Maharashtra, on December 8 and will go on till 19th of this month.
Not wanting to react to a question on the leadership issue, the CM said the Congress high command is very strong.
"D K Shivakumar and I will be committed to whatever the high command decides," he said.
Earlier in the day in Bengaluru, Shivakumar accompanied AICC Mallikarjun Kharge till airport from Vidhana Soudha, after paying tributes to B R Ambedkar on his 69th death anniversary, which had led to some speculation about possible discussion between the two on the leadership issue.
The power tussle within the ruling party had intensified amid speculation about a change in chief minister in the state, after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
However, both the CM and Deputy CM had recently held breakfast meetings at each others residences, on the instructions of the high command, which is seen as a move to pause the leadership tussle between the two and to signal Siddaramaiah's continuation as the CM for the time being, especially ahead of the Belagavi legislature session.
