Highlighting Bengaluru’s contributions to the Centre’s exchequer, Kharge questioned the lack of fair tax devolution in return.
Published Feb 26, 2025 | 7:38 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 26, 2025 | 7:38 PM
Synopsis: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge strongly criticised former Infosys director Mohandas Pai for his remarks on Bengaluru’s infrastructure, accusing him of selective outrage and political bias. In a heated exchange on X, Kharge blamed the Centre’s inadequate financial support as one of the reasons behind the city’s development woes.
Congress leader and Karnataka Minister for Electronics, IT/BT and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge, on Tuesday, 25 February, launched a scathing attack on former Infosys director TV Mohandas Pai following the latter’s criticism about Bengaluru’s infrastructure under the ruling Congress government, accusing Pai of selective outrage.
A day earlier, Kharge posted about Bengaluru’s economic achievements on X.
“Bengaluru has the second-highest number of India’s most valuable companies,” Kharge wrote, adding that the city hosts the highest number of Fortune 500 companies in India (400), the most Global Capability Centres, and approximately 48 unicorn startups.
The minister also highlighted Bengaluru’s contributions to IT exports (42 percent of national total) and its position as the country’s leading AI hub.
In response, Pai, a vocal supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), questioned what Kharge and his government had done to improve the city’s residents’ lives, pointing to basic civic issues.
“Minister Priyank Kharge. We know all this, but tell us – what have you done as our Minister to improve our lives? You have not even ensured the city is clean with no potholes and good footpaths! This is not rocket science but regular maintenance work. Please talk to Minister DK Shivakumar to give us at least a clean walkable city! Is this too much to ask? Our lives have become more miserable over last 2 years!,” he wrote.
Minister @PriyankKharge We know all this, but tell us – what have you done as our Minister to improve our lives? You have not even ensured the city is clean with no potholes and good footpaths! This is not rocket science but regular maintenance work. Pl talk to Minister… https://t.co/v1ewx3GrAf
— Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) February 24, 2025
In a lengthy rebuttal on Tuesday, Kharge accused Pai of selective criticism.
“If it was not rocket science why didn’t you enlighten your then (BJP Karnataka) Government? Looks like your woes have become painful after we got 135 seats,” the minister wrote, referring to the Congress party’s victory in the 2023 state assembly elections.
Shifting focus to the ongoing funding disputes between Southern states and the Centre, Kharge asked why Pai remains “silent when your Vishwaguru [Prime Minister] Narendra Modi treats Karnataka with utter disdain.”
The minister highlighted Karnataka’s economic contribution to the Centre’s exchequer, noting, “Karnataka is the second-highest tax-contributing state in India while Bengaluru alone added ₹9.1 lakh crore to India’s GDP in 2024.”
Yet Kharge questioned why it hasn’t resulted in greater financial allocations from the Centre. “Does this not merit a higher devolution of central funds so the state government can address infrastructure issues?” he asked.
He also pointed out that the 15th Finance Commission had awarded Karnataka ₹11,495 crore for improving Bengaluru’s critical infrastructure, but the funds have not been disbursed.
. @TVMohandasPai avare, if it was not rocket science why didn’t you enlighten your then Government? Looks like your woes have become painful after we got 135 seats.
Why do you remain silent when your #Vishwaguru @narendramodi treats Karnataka with utter disdain?
– Karnataka is… https://t.co/MX3oI2VQNe
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) February 25, 2025
“Ahead of the Union Budget, when the state sought financial support to implement projects such as tunnel roads, 17 new flyovers, Peripheral Ring Road, suburban rail, buffer zone roads, double-decker flyovers and water supply initiatives in the city, not a penny was allocated,” he added.
Furthermore, Kharge alleged a lack of support from state BJP leaders in urging the centre to prioritise the state’s needs.
“Bengaluru has 16 BJP MLAs and the NDA holds 19 of Karnataka’s 28 Lok Sabha seats, including all 4 MPs from the city. Is it not their responsibility also to address pressing infrastructure issues in their constituencies?” he wrote.
The minister also accused Pai of remaining silent “when companies are arm twisted to go to other states” and when Karnataka was not chosen as part of the AI or Semiconductor Missions.
“The strain on our city’s infrastructure stems from rapid growth and population surge and the government is tackling it with the urgency it deserves,” Kharge stated.
“Your party may promote grand slogans like MakeInIndia, SkillIndia, DigitalIndia, AmritKaal, and VikshitBharat, but without the contribution of my state, these slogans remain hollow.”
He continued: “I’m sure your leaders might appreciate your constant negativity toward Karnataka and Kannadigas, but believe me, that approach won’t bring you any closer to Delhi anytime soon.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
