Union Minister Pralhad Joshi voiced strong criticism against the Congress-led Karnataka government on Sunday, alleging a significant neglect of burgeoning tier-two cities such as Hubballi-Dharwad. He specifically pointed to the administration’s failure to attract crucial investments to these developing urban centers.
According to Joshi, the state government has shown a marked lack of initiative in establishing new industries in these secondary cities. Furthermore, he claimed it has struggled to even retain existing businesses within the capital, Bengaluru.
As a prime example, Joshi highlighted the recent relocation of a major tech giant’s data center from Bengaluru to a neighboring state. He cited expert estimates suggesting this move alone represents a staggering loss of approximately ₹1.3 lakh crore in investment for Karnataka. He further noted reports of the same company investing nearly ₹3 lakh crore in Odisha, emphasizing the need for Karnataka to intensify its efforts in fostering a competitive and attractive investment climate.
Joshi suggested that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his cabinet members could significantly improve the state’s investment ranking by adopting a more humble and receptive approach towards various stakeholders and potential investors.
He advised against arrogant public statements from the Chief Minister and his Ministers, stressing that a positive and accommodating attitude is vital. Joshi advocated for specific concessions and incentives tailored for tier-two cities, asserting that the right governmental approach would naturally draw more industries.
Joshi went further, claiming that the state government appears to be in a dire financial situation, allegedly unable to even pay the salaries of essential workers in local panchayats. He concluded that rampant corruption and a severe lack of accountability have regressed Karnataka’s progress by more than two decades.
Addressing the state government’s decision to disallow an RSS route march in Chittapur, Joshi chose not to elaborate directly on the matter. Instead, he suggested that the government might be intentionally creating such controversies to divert public attention from its perceived administrative shortcomings. He also noted that RSS marches have been a regular practice since the organization’s inception.
Responding to a question regarding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s comments on Sanatan Dharma, Joshi clarified that Sanatan Dharma inherently represents Hinduism.
He asserted that Hinduism is the bedrock of peace and order within the nation, drawing a contrast with the unrest observed in other countries.
Shifting focus, Joshi expressed confidence that the NDA, under Nitesh Kumar’s leadership, is poised for a historic victory in the upcoming Bihar elections.