Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 21 : Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday asked the MEA to explain the "politics" behind initially denying and then approving his delegation's US visit and accused the Centre of denying Karnataka its right to seek investments from abroad.
"This question should be asked of the MEA. Why did they deny the delegation led by me, and why are they allowing it now? What was wrong then and what is right now?" Priyank Kharge told ANI.
"We were supposed to be there on 13th June, and it is already 21st. Do you think World Expos and World Trade exhibitions will wait for us? No... The politics being played is also to be explained by the MEA," he added.
He said Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu are the states that drive 50% of the GDP of the country and neglecting those states has no use to anybody.
"We are one of the biggest economic growth engines for the country...If we don't get to go abroad and seek investments...It is always Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu - we are the ones driving 50% of the country's GDP. Have you seen Uttar Pradesh's CM going abroad and getting investments? Have you seen the MP CM or the Bihar CM going and getting investments? It is always Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. We are the ones driving 50 per cent of the country's GDP," he said.
"And you doing such things is of no use to anybody. We are the ones who are creating the jobs. Have a look around Bengaluru and Karnataka, how many people from the North are coming here and working...Do you know anybody from Karnataka who is working in UP, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh?" he added.
In his detailed 'X' post, the Karnataka Minister highlighted that he sought permission for his US travel to represent the Karnataka government between June 14 and 27 on May 15 at two major global forums and hold 25 official meetings with top companies, universities and institutions for collaborations and pitch for investments.
He explained that the application for the minister and his delegation was submitted on May 15, which was later rejected on June 4. Kharge added that an application for the officer delegation without the minister was submitted on June 6, and it got clearance on June 11.
The Karnataka Minister said that he addressed a press conference on the matter on June 19, explaining the chronology and raising concerns about the possible political interference.