The Assam BJP has launched a sharp attack on Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, following a heated exchange of words between Kharge and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The BJP's Assam unit took to social media, taunting Kharge with the phrase "Hello, Teddy Boy," in response to Kharge's remarks questioning the talent pool in Assam.
The controversy erupted after Kharge, the Karnataka Minister for Electronics, IT/BT, and Rural Development, publicly questioned the rationale behind semiconductor industries choosing Assam and Gujarat for investments, suggesting that these investments were being "arm-twisted" by the central government away from Karnataka. "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 reportedly stated.
These remarks drew immediate and strong condemnation from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who labeled Kharge a "first-class idiot" for allegedly "insulting" the youth of Assam. Sarma stated that Kharge's comments were "deeply insulting" and "derogatory," and that he was considering legal action against Kharge. "Priyank Kharge has exposed himself as a first-class idiot," Sarma said. "His comment reflects a deeply prejudiced mindset that looks down upon the youth of Assam. By questioning their education and capability, he has insulted every young professional from our state". Sarma also criticized the Congress party for not condemning Kharge's statement. He later shared a video clip of his statement on X, posting: “Son of @INCIndiaPresident, Priyank Kharge, has insulted Assam's youth and Assam Cong doesn't even have the courage to condemn him. He is a FIRST CLASS IDIOT".
The Assam BJP's social media response was equally scathing, ridiculing Kharge for his "arrogant outburst". The party questioned Kharge's own skills and achievements, suggesting that his position was solely due to being the son of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. "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," the party said.
Kharge has since responded to Sarma's criticism, accusing the Assam Chief Minister of twisting his words for "political spin" and attempting to "whitewash his failures". Kharge clarified that his comments were specifically about industry decisions and not intended as a political attack. "The BJP and CM Himanta Biswa Sarma are twisting my words," Kharge stated. "My statement was clear — it was about semiconductor companies being pressured to set up in Gujarat and Assam, even when they had expressed a clear preference for Karnataka because of our engineering talent and ecosystem". He further alleged that Assam continues to lag behind in health, education, and economic growth despite a decade of BJP rule, and took a dig at Sarma's remarks about corruption cases, stating, "Every scam or corruption case seems to trace back to his doorstep".
The political spat comes as Assam is preparing to house the Northeast's first semiconductor plant in Morigaon district, being set up by Tata Electronics Pvt Ltd at an estimated cost of ₹27,000 crore. The facility is expected to produce 48 million chips a day, with production likely to begin this fiscal year.
