Guwahati (Assam): Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge’s remark on the Rs 27,000-crore semiconductor plant in Assam, has irked the Assam BJP leadership. From Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to Union Minister Pabitra Margherita, have slammed Kharge's remarks on allotting the multi-crore Tata Group ventured project in the small town of Jagiroad, nearly 55 Km from Guwahati.
In his X post, Kharge said it is unfair to set up the semiconductor unit in Assam instead of Karnataka with an investment of Rs 27,000 crore, which is supposed to provide direct and indirect employment opportunities to 30,000 people.
“Five semicon manufacturing units, four are in Gujarat, and one is in Assam, but they don't have an ecosystem of skills there. They don't have an ecosystem of research there. They don't have an ecosystem of incubation. They don't have a system of ecosystem of innovations…when 70% of the chip designing talent lies in Karnataka, I don't understand why the government wants to push to another state by using political clout. That is unfair,” Kharge wrote in his X handle.
Hitting back, CM Sarma said the Congress should shun the anti-Assam attitude. Taking to X, he termed Kharge's comments as divisive and wrote, “Once again, Congress shows its true colors by opposing Assam’s development. A Karnataka minister, who is also the son of the Congress national president, claims that Assam has no right to host a semiconductor industry! I urge Assam Congress leaders to reject this divisive thinking and stand up for Assam’s rightful growth and progress.”