Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge Secures Approval for US Trip After Initial Denial

Karnataka's IT Minister Priyank Kharge has finally been granted permission for his trip to the US after facing an initial denial from the central government. The reversal came after intervention from the Chief Minister and public outcry regarding the political motivations behind the decision. Kharge plans to attend significant global events aimed at fostering investment and technological collaboration. His criticism of the central government's actions highlights ongoing tensions between state and central authorities. This incident has sparked discussions about the politicization of state development issues, with opposition leaders voicing their concerns.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 21, 2025, 16:12 IST

Approval Granted for US Visit

Priyank Kharge, the Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology in Karnataka, has finally received permission for his trip to the United States. The central government had previously blocked his travel plans, but after a letter sent to the Ministry of External Affairs two days ago and intervention from the Chief Minister, the central government reversed its decision and issued a new order.

Minister's Reaction to the Decision

Kharge took to Twitter to announce the news, criticizing the central government for what he termed an unjust contempt that negatively impacted Karnataka's image and development.

Details of the Planned Trip

The minister was scheduled to attend two prestigious global events, the Bio International Convention 2025 and the Design Automation Conference, in San Francisco from June 14 to June 27. He had requested permission from the central government on May 15, but his request was denied on June 4.

Political Motivations Behind the Denial

Following the initial denial, both the state government and Kharge labeled the decision as politically motivated and detrimental to development. He questioned why permission was withheld when the trip was in the state's interest and not for personal gain.

Expressing Discontent at a Press Conference

During a press conference at the Vidhan Soudha, Kharge openly expressed his frustration regarding the issue. He accused the central government of obstructing Karnataka's plans without justification, emphasizing that the trip was not a vacation but an official visit aimed at attracting investment and technological collaboration. He stated that the central government's interference was akin to hindering the state's progress.

Demand for Clarification

Kharge also mentioned that he would not let the matter rest and would seek clarification from the Ministry of External Affairs. He noted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had personally written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express his displeasure over the decision.

Central Government Reverses Decision

Just two days after the criticisms and correspondence, the central government rescinded its earlier order and granted permission for Kharge's trip to the US. In his tweet, Kharge stated that the Ministry of External Affairs had finally lifted the travel ban. However, he pointed out that the delay and obstruction had harmed the state's reputation, calling it a form of contempt from the start. He remarked that such discrimination is inappropriate when both the central and state governments operate within the same nation.

Opposition's Response

The Congress party and several opposition leaders criticized the central government over this issue, asserting that matters related to state development should not be politicized.