BENGALURU
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge criticised the Central government, alleging that major investments and projects are increasingly being diverted to Gujarat and claimed that even the IPL has been “hijacked.”
Speaking to reporters over the shifting of the IPL final match from Bengaluru, Kharge questioned the reasons behind the decision and said there were no security concerns in the city.
“IPL matches are going to Gujarat. Capital investments are also going to Gujarat. Jay Shah is in the BCCI and ICC, and he can do whatever he wants. Matches can be shifted from Bengaluru to Hyderabad or Gujarat. Is there no security in Bengaluru? Why was the match shifted?” he asked.
Kharge further alleged that several major semiconductor projects had also been moved to Gujarat despite companies showing preference for states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
“Even when companies apply for subsidies and mention Karnataka or Tamil Nadu as their first preference, projects are eventually allotted to Gujarat or Assam. How is this happening?” he questioned.
The minister said Karnataka has built a strong industrial and technology ecosystem over the last three to four decades, attracting skilled workers and students from across the country.
He pointed out that students from Assam and other states come to Bengaluru for training and employment opportunities in private companies due to the city’s established ecosystem.
Kharge accused the Centre of weakening this system through biased allocation of projects and investments.
His remarks come amid political debate over the venue shift of the IPL final and growing concerns raised by Karnataka leaders regarding allocation of industrial projects to other states.