Guwahati: A political slugfest has erupted between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge after the latter alleged that semiconductor investments meant for Karnataka were being “diverted to Assam and Gujarat” under pressure from the Centre.
Speaking to a news channel, Kharge claimed that several semiconductor companies originally keen on setting up operations in Bengaluru were being “arm-twisted” into investing in Assam and Gujarat.
“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 diverted by the Central government,” Kharge alleged.
His remarks sparked a strong rebuttal from CM Sarma, who branded Kharge a ‘first-class idiot’, accusing him of insulting Assam’s educated youth.
“His statement is a direct insult to the talented youth of Assam. We are considering legal action against him,” Sarma said, while slamming the Congress Party for not condemning the minister’s “arrogant and objectionable” comment.
The war of words intensified after Kharge hit back on social media, accusing Sarma of “deflecting from governance failures.”
“My remarks were about how semiconductor firms were pressured to shift to Assam and Gujarat despite Karnataka’s strong engineering base. The only thing Mr. Sarma has managed to grow is his wealth. Every major scam in Assam leads to him,” Kharge wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
He further claimed that the BJP’s days in Assam were “numbered,” promising that a future Congress government in 2026 would prioritise youth employability, transparency, and skill development.
“We will build an ecosystem where talent thrives, free from the corrupt governance and divisive politics of a third-rate crook,” Kharge added.
The Assam BJP soon entered the fray, mocking Kharge in a scathing post.
“Hello, Teddy Boy! Writing long essays on X doesn’t make you a semiconductor expert. Maybe look at your own backyard — your district still tops South India’s poverty charts. So much for your ‘talent tank’, huh?” the party quipped.
The exchange has ignited a social media storm, with political observers saying the spat reflects escalating tensions between the BJP-led Assam government and Congress leaders in southern states — a sign of how development narratives and regional pride are becoming flashpoints ahead of future elections.
