Assam’s semiconductor gain becomes Karnataka’s loss, Priyank Kharge and Himanta trade bitter barbs

On Sunday, Kharge had, while speaking to reporters, alleged that investments were being diverted away from Congress-ruled Karnataka and DMK-ruled Tamil Nadu through “arm-twisting” by the Centre.

“Why are semiconductor industries going to Assam and Gujarat when they want to come to Bangalore? I have raised this issue before. All the investment that is coming to Karnataka is 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? When industrialists are giving their applications that they would like to come to Karnataka or Tamil Nadu, why is it going to Gujarat?” he said.

The TATA group is currently working on setting up a semiconductor assembly and testing facility in Assam’s Jagiroad at an investment of around Rs. 27,000 crore. The first phase of the facility is scheduled to become operational by mid-2025 and is expected to generate over 27,000 direct and indirect jobs, according to the group.

This is one of the biggest industrial developments in Assam during Sarma’s tenure. The CM hit out at Kharge, saying, “Priyank Kharge is a first-class idiot. He has insulted Assamese youth and Congress has not yet condemned Priyank Kharge. Perhaps we might file a case against him because he has said that Assam doesn’t have educated, competent youth. That is an insult to the entire Assamese youth. So we are considering whether to bring a case against him in a court of law.”

His comments have also drawn the ire of groups that are opposed to the BJP.

“The people of Assam are not lacking in talent or innovation. Many young professionals from Assam are serving in leading roles in the information technology sector in Bengaluru, significantly contributing to Karnataka’s IT growth. Not just in India, Assamese youths are excelling in the technology sector across the world. Undermining the talent of Assam is an insult to the hardworking young generation of the state. We urge the minister to show respect and refrain from making such irresponsible remarks,” said Lurinjyoti Gogoi and Jagadish Bhuyan, leaders of Asom Jaitiya Parishad, a regional outfit that allied with the Congress in last year’s Lok Sabha polls.

Kharge accused Sarma of “twisting his words”.

“My statement is clear and very specific; it was about how semiconductor companies were being pressured to set up in Gujarat and Assam, even when they had expressed a clear interest in Karnataka because of our engineering talent and established ecosystem. After nearly a decade of BJP rule, Assam today ranks among the bottom five states in crucial development indicators like health, education and economic growth, as per NITI Aayog’s latest report. The only thing Mr Sarma has managed to grow is his own wealth. Every major scam or corruption case seems to trace back to his doorstep, while the youth of Assam are left without jobs or opportunities. Instead of trying to whitewash his failures by giving my statements political spin, the Chief Minister should ask himself what he’s done for the young people of his state. Why are they leaving Assam to find work elsewhere?” he stated.

He also referred to a 2024 post by Sarma about 1,500 youth from Assam receiving training at TATA facilities in and around Bangalore to equip them to be able to work at the semiconductor facility. “By your own admission, thousands of Assamese are being trained in Bengaluru. I’m glad Karnataka’s ecosystem is able to support the youth of Assam. A simple ‘thank you’ would have sufficed instead of the political rabid comments,” he said.