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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Dr. Thumbay Moideen featured in Entrepreneur Middle East 100 NRI’s of the year
Dubai: Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder of Thumbay Group has been featured in this year's “The 100 NRIs by Entrepreneur Middle East.”
The annual feature recognises 100 prominent Non-Resident Indian entrepreneurs from diverse fields. Other notable names on the list include Zakariya Jokatte, Ashish Koshy, Deepak Babani, Pankaj Kundr, Faizal E. Kottikollon, Dr. Vivek Oberoi, and Prashant Goenka.
Dr. Thumbay Moideen, son of the late community leader B. Ahmed Haji Mohiudeen, is a prominent alumnus of St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru. He has earned widespread recognition in the UAE and beyond for his contributions to higher education and healthcare. He is also a recipient of the Karnataka State Rajyotsava Award 2025.
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In 1997, Dr. Moideen founded the Thumbay Group, a diversified international conglomerate that has expanded into health education, healthcare services, and medical research. In 1998, he became the first Indian invited by the rulers of Ajman to establish a medical college in the UAE, which has now grown into a university with its own network of hospitals, clinics, medical centers, and pharmacies across the country.
Dr. Moideen’s achievements have been recognised in respected publications, including Forbes Middle East and Arabian Business. He has also received an Honorary Fellowship from the International Medical Sciences Academy (IMSA) and an honorary doctorate from Amity University.
Today, Thumbay Group institutions cater to students and healthcare professionals from over 100 nationalities, contributing to workforce development and research-driven healthcare practices. Dr. Moideen is widely regarded as one of the most influential Non-Resident Indians in the Gulf, a respected voice from the Beary community, and a leading Muslim entrepreneur and educationist.
Over the past decades, he has steered Thumbay Group’s expansion into a multi-sector organisation focusing on academic medicine, research-led healthcare, and global education. His initiatives have created opportunities for thousands of healthcare professionals and students while strengthening healthcare delivery systems and academic collaboration across regions.
