Bengaluru, Feb 26 – Karnataka's Minister for Electronics, IT, and Biotechnology, Priyank Kharge, has strongly criticized IT industry veteran and former Infosys CFO T V Mohandas Pai, accusing him of consistently promoting negativity against the state and its people.
Kharge’s reaction came after Pai took to the social media platform 'X' on February 24 to criticize the government over Bengaluru’s infrastructure issues. In his post, Pai questioned Kharge’s contributions as a minister, pointing out persistent civic problems such as potholes and poor footpaths. He urged the minister to collaborate with Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to ensure a cleaner, more walkable city.
On Tuesday, Kharge attributed Bengaluru’s infrastructure challenges to rapid urban growth and assured that the government urgently addresses them. He also sought to link Pai with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), remarking, “Your leaders may appreciate your constant negativity towards Karnataka and Kannadigas, but believe me, that approach won’t bring you any closer to Delhi anytime soon.”
Accusing Pai of deliberately harming Karnataka’s image, Kharge called on him to use his influence in Delhi for the state's benefit. He also alleged that Pai's criticism had intensified following the Congress party’s victory with 135 seats in the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections.
Further targeting the BJP, Kharge questioned Pai’s silence over the alleged neglect of Karnataka by the Union government. He accused the Centre of sidelining Bengaluru in significant initiatives like the AI and Semiconductor Missions and alleged that companies were pressured to relocate to other states.
Highlighting Bengaluru’s rapid growth over the past decade, Kharge emphasized the city’s critical role in national initiatives such as #MakeInIndia, #SkillIndia, #DigitalIndia, #AmritKaal, and #VikshitBharat. He asserted that without Karnataka’s contributions, these slogans would be “hollow.”
The exchange reflects the growing friction between the Karnataka government and industry leaders over the state’s infrastructure and governance.
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