Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge has found himself in a heated exchange with Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over the allocation of major investment projects, particularly in the semiconductor sector. Kharge has accused the Central government of deliberately diverting key investments away from Karnataka to BJP-ruled states, undermining states that already have strong industrial ecosystems.
According to Kharge, the Centre has been “arm-twisting” companies that expressed interest in Karnataka and redirecting them to states that lack the necessary infrastructure and talent base for such high-tech ventures. “The Centre is diverting these companies to places where there is no ecosystem, and which would take 5 to 10 years to develop one,” Kharge remarked, asserting that Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana remain the natural choices for investors in the technology and manufacturing sectors.
Recently, the Central government approved 10 semiconductor projects across six states — four in Gujarat, two in Odisha, and one each in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Assam. Among these, Punjab (ruled by AAP) and Andhra Pradesh (ruled by the TDP, a BJP ally) are the only non-BJP states on the list.
Critics argue that the distribution reveals clear political favoritism, with Gujarat once again emerging as the biggest beneficiary. “Why does Gujarat need four semiconductor plants?” Kharge questioned, suggesting that at least some of these projects should be set up in other regions to promote balanced economic growth.
The Karnataka minister’s remarks reflect growing frustration among opposition-ruled states, which claim the Centre prioritizes political alignment over practical readiness or industrial merit. As the debate intensifies, it highlights the larger political tug-of-war between the Union government and non-BJP states over the fair distribution of national investments and industrial projects.
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