Bengaluru erupted in political heat as Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge fired back at BJP’s criticism of Congress workers’ protests at the AI Impact Summit. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Kharge accused the BJP of inflating the issue to mask their own glaring failures.
He drew a sharp parallel to past events, reminding everyone how Nitin Gadkari had led protests during the Commonwealth Games without facing similar backlash. ‘BJP leaders are desperate to bury their shortcomings,’ Kharge declared. ‘The world knows their track record, and this drama won’t fool anyone. The public sees through it all.’
Kharge didn’t hold back on the summit’s organization, calling it a textbook case of mismanagement. ‘We need to hear from investors and delegates who attended—what do they think?’ he questioned. ‘Why fixate on Congress’s views when the real stakeholders’ opinions matter most?’
Turning the tables, he highlighted BJP’s history of similar protests in Karnataka, from black flag demonstrations to disruptions during Rahul Gandhi’s visits under their rule. ‘They point fingers but ignore their own hypocrisy,’ Kharge said.
On the AI Impact Summit in Delhi, he labeled it a national embarrassment that exposed BJP’s incompetence. Addressing a letter from Congress MLAs to party leadership, Kharge emphasized that ambition is fine, but the manner of expression counts. ‘Everyone has the right to voice concerns to the top brass, but choose your methods wisely,’ he advised.
As political tensions simmer in Karnataka, Kharge’s bold retort underscores the ongoing rivalry, with both sides accusing each other of poor governance and selective outrage. The public, he believes, will ultimately judge based on facts, not theatrics.