“There is no talent in Assam or Gujarat !” : Priyank Kharge

Karnataka Congress minister Priyank Kharge makes racist remark over semiconductor industry

Bengaluru (Karnataka) – Karnataka’s Rural Development Minister and Congress leader Priyank Kharge has sparked controversy with his disparaging remarks on Assam and Gujarat while speaking about the semiconductor industry. Addressing the media, he said, “When semiconductor companies are showing readiness to come to Bengaluru, why are they being directed towards Assam and Gujarat ? The Union Government is diverting all investments meant for Karnataka to Gujarat. What does Gujarat have ? Is there any talent there ? What about Assam ? Is there any talent there ? When industrialists themselves are applying to set up in Karnataka or Tamil Nadu, why are they being pushed towards Gujarat ?”

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma hits back

Reacting strongly, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Once again, the Congress has exposed its true colours by opposing Assam’s progress. The Congress president’s son and Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge says that Assam has no right to establish a semiconductor industry ! I urge Congress leaders in Assam to reject this divisive mindset and stand for the rightful development of our state.”

Other Assam ministers condemn Kharge’s remark

Assam minister Jayanta Malla Baruah wrote on X, “Congress has always opposed Assam’s development. Whenever the state moves forward, the Congress tries to pull it back. Priyank Kharge’s statement is an insult to every young person in Assam.”

Minister Piyush Hazarika said, “Kharge’s remarks are not surprising — this is the true face of Congress. The party has always looked down upon Assam and the entire Northeast, undermining our capabilities and obstructing our progress. This regional contempt runs deep in Congress’s history, and his words have confirmed it once again.”

He added that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge himself had once opposed awarding the Bharat Ratna to one of Assam’s greatest icons, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. “This shows that anti-Assam sentiment runs deep within the Kharge family,” Hazarika said.

Editorial Perspective

A case should be registered against Priyank Kharge for such a divisive and discriminatory statement. Attempting regional bias within the nation amounts to an act against national unity and should be treated as sedition.