Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram has backed Kharge, questioning the Centre’s decision, describing it as a matter of federal concern.
Published Jun 20, 2025 | 7:48 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 20, 2025 | 7:48 PM
Kharge had also criticised what he called a pattern of denial affecting Opposition-ruled states.
Synopsis: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar demanding an official explanation for being denied political clearance to lead a state delegation to the US for major tech conferences. The incident, which follows a string of similar denials for opposition-ruled states, has sparked concern of political bias.
Karnataka Minister for IT & BT, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge has written to Union Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar, seeking a formal explanation for the denial of clearance for his official visit to the United States earlier this month.
In a letter dated 19 June, Kharge stated that he had planned to lead a delegation from Karnataka to attend two major international conferences – the BIO International Convention in Boston and the Design Automation Conference (DAC) in San Francisco – scheduled between 14 and 27 June.
The delegation was also set to hold official meetings with global corporations, universities, and research institutions.
“The visit was aimed at strengthening collaborations, attracting investments and creating employment opportunities for the state,” Kharge said in a post on X on Friday.
“Denying a Cabinet Minister and the custodian of one of the world’s largest technology clusters, the ability to carry out such official responsibilities without explanation, raises serious concerns.”
The denial, he added, was “not only against the interests of the state but also undermines the spirit of cooperative federalism.”
I have written to the Minister of External Affairs, Sri. Jaishankar, seeking clarity on why political clearance for my official visit to the United States was denied. I do so with a deep sense of responsibility to the people of Karnataka, to whom I am duty-bound. The visit was… pic.twitter.com/RkBAsg45Zo
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) June 20, 2025
The minister had on Thursday alleged the act as an example of political bias against opposition-ruled states and leaders.
He added that when he withdrew his name on 6 June and proposed a delegation consisting only of officials, the same plan was approved on 11 June. Later, the inclusion of KEONICS Chairman Sharath Bacche Gowda was also cleared on 14 June.
“Chronology samjhaiye!” Kharge said. “A delegation led by me – denied. A delegation of officers – approved. A delegation led by another cabinet-ranked colleague – approved.”
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Thursday, Kharge had questioned the MEA’s refusal, despite what he described as a “meticulously planned” itinerary and official approval from the state’s Chief Minister.
In his letter addressed to S Jaishankar, Kharge requested a formal explanation from the ministry and called for a “more transparent and consultative approach in handling such official engagements in the future.”
“In the absence of a formal communication from the ministry outlining the reasons for denial, it becomes difficult to assess and plan future engagements of this nature. It also raises concerns about the consistency of the process, especially when the visits are official, sector-critical and in the National Interest,” he wrote.
Senior Congress leader, Rajya Sabha MP and former Union Minister P Chidambaram has backed Kharge, questioning the Centre’s decision, describing it as a matter of federal concern.
“The GoI must immediately answer the charge of Mr Priyank Kharge, state minister, that GoI denied him permission to lead a delegation to visit the United States to meet potential investors and think-tanks who had invited him,” Chidambaram said in a post on X on Friday morning.
“If there is no satisfactory answer, Mr Priyank Kharge must challenge in Court the denial of permission. The right to travel and the right to freedom of speech and expression are fundamental rights.”
He added: “Often, the GoI forgets that it is only one government in a federal democracy where there is another government too.”
The GoI must immediately answer the charge of Mr Priyank Kharge, state Minister, that GoI denied him permission to lead a delegation to visit the United States to meet potential investors and think-tanks who had invited him
If there is no satisfactory answer, Mr Priyank Kharge…
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) June 20, 2025
Kharge had also criticised what he called a pattern of denial affecting Opposition-ruled states. The incident follows a string of similar denials.
In May 2025, the Union government denied Kerala Health Minister Veena George permission to travel to the US to deliver a lecture at Johns Hopkins University.
Despite applying three weeks in advance with an official invitation, her clearance was rejected just three days before departure.
In March 2025, Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev and his team were similarly denied permission to attend the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) conference in Washington, where he was slated to speak on the state’s “Year of Enterprises” initiative.
Rajeev later called the move “extraordinary” in a Facebook post.
In June 2024, following a tragic fire in Kuwait affecting Indian nationals, Veena George was again denied permission – this time to travel to Kuwait to coordinate relief for Keralites.
“What we sought was simply permission to stand with our people during a tragedy. That permission is denied,” she said at the time.
Tamil Nadu’s IT and Digital Services Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (PTR) also recounted being denied clearance in 2023 – just 12 hours before he was to depart for a speaking engagement at Brown University.
He had been invited by institutions including MIT, Harvard, and the Kennedy School of Government.
“According to our information, permissions have been denied for Tamil Nadu and, in some cases, Telangana as well,” Kharge said on Thursday.
“When I recently attended the Paris Air Show on invitation, a party spokesperson from another state had come privately. I asked where their minister was, and they said they were denied permission.”
He further alleged political motives:
“As the Government of India, you have every right to tell us if we’re going wrong – to guide us. But if you cannot give a valid reason, we will be forced to believe this is political. And I’m telling you now – it is political,” he said.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
