War of Words Erupts Between Ashoka and Priyank Kharge Over Kalyana Karnataka
Opposition and ruling party leaders clash on social media over funds, special status, and accountability for the region’s development.
Kalaburagi: A war of words has erupted between Leader of Opposition in Assembly R Ashoka and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge over the development of Kalyana Karnataka (Hyderabad Karnataka) region, with the two leaders trading sharp barbs on social media.
On Thursday morning Ashoka fired the first salvo on X, accusing the Congress government of neglecting the Kalyana Karnataka region by failing to release the funds which it had assured in the budget, while Kharge hit back, calling the BJP’s stance hypocritical given its past rejection of Article 371(J) (special provisions to Kalyana Karnataka region).
Ashoka accused the Congress of betraying Kalyana Karnataka, alleging that despite approving a Rs 5,000 crore action plan for the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) in the 2024-25 budget, not a single rupee had been released as the financial year neared its end. “(Kalaburagi) district incharge minister Priyank Kharge interferes in every unrelated issue, but why is he silent when it comes to funds meant for Kalyana Karnataka?” he questioned.
He further mocked Kharge’s earlier remark that BJP workers wouldn’t even be allowed to step foot in Kalaburagi if his family decided so. “Instead of challenging the opposition, why not challenge your own Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and ensure that the sanctioned funds actually reach Kalyana Karnataka?” Ashoka asked, urging Kharge to use his influence with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge to push for fund allocation.
Hitting back, Priyank Kharge slammed the BJP for its past stance on Kalyana Karnataka, stating that those who had rejected Article 371(J) had no moral right to speak about the region’s welfare. Posting the letter by the then Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani which stated that the Central government did not find the proposal (regional reservation to Kalyana Karnataka region) feasible, Priyank Kharge took to social media X to remind the BJP of its past stance, stating that those who once rejected Article 371(J) have no credibility to discuss the welfare of Kalyana Karnataka now.
“The BJP betrayed the region historically. The very grants you speak of today were made possible by Article 371(J), yet your government once opposed this special status,” Kharge said.
“The BJP government had dismissed the special status for Kalyana Karnataka, and even after a decade, they have not provided a clear reason for it. Now, they talk about funding and development,” Kharge remarked.
Kharge also accused the previous BJP government of corruption within the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB), alleging that scams under its tenure hindered the region’s progress. “You may try to cover up the KKRDB scam, but neither the people nor our government have forgotten. An investigation is underway, and those responsible will be punished,” he asserted.
"BJP leaders, who claim to interfere in every department and every issue, should remember that the Chief Minister has appointed me as the government spokesperson, and it is my responsibility to expose your lies. Does the BJP have a problem with what I am saying, or is the very fact that I am speaking troubling them? Do they want to silence me as if saying, ‘Stay in your place’? Why such intolerance towards me?" he questioned.
