Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma slams Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge for 'insulting' Assamese youth

Guwahati: Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge’s remarks questioning the talent pool in Assam and Gujarat revoked sharp reaction from Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The Assam government is likely to file a case against Kharge.

On Sunday, Kharge publicly questioned the rationale behind semiconductor industries choosing Assam and Gujarat for their investments.

"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?".


Sarma told media persons on Monday the remark is "deeply insulting" and "derogatory".

He has insulted the Assamese youth, and the Congress has not yet condemned him. "We might file a case against him because he has said that Assam doesn't have competent young people. This is an insult to the youth of Assam.”

The Assam BJP also hit back strongly through a scathing post on social media, ridiculing Kharge for his “arrogant outburst”.

BJP added, “If ‘talent’ means boot-licking the boss and snatching biscuits meant for Rahul Gandhi’s pet, then thank God the people of Assam are talentless. Junior Kharge, apart from being born as Senior Kharge’s son, do you have any actual skills? This father–son franchise has made a habit of insulting Assam,” the party said.

The Bhumi pujan (ground breaking) of Rs 27,000 crore semiconductor assembly and test facility at Jagiroad in Morigaon district of Assam was performed last year. The facility is expected to be operational by 2025.