Karnataka Minister Criticizes Foreign Ministry Over Travel Approval Delay
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has publicly criticized the Foreign Ministry for its delay in granting him political clearance for an official trip to the United States. After an initial rejection, the ministry reversed its decision just days before his scheduled departure. Kharge's application process, which included representation at two significant global events and numerous meetings with key institutions, has raised questions about the motives behind the delays. This controversy highlights the challenges faced by officials in securing necessary approvals for international engagements.
| Jun 21, 2025, 15:39 IST
Minister's Criticism of Foreign Ministry
Karnataka's Minister Priyank Kharge expressed his discontent with the Foreign Ministry on Saturday, claiming that they initially denied political clearance for his official trip to the United States. He noted that the ministry later reversed its decision. On the social media platform X, Kharge mentioned that after 36 days from his initial application and just five days before his scheduled departure, approval was finally granted on June 19.
Background of the Approval Process
Kharge stated, "Thus, taking a U-turn, the Foreign Ministry has now decided to revoke its earlier decision and grant me permission for the official trip to the United States." He raised questions regarding the motives behind the initial rejection and the subsequent delay. Previously, the Congress leader claimed that he had applied for travel approval on May 15 to represent the Karnataka government at two global forums - the BIO International Convention in Boston and the Design Automation Conference (DAC) in San Francisco, scheduled between June 14 and 27. Additionally, he was set to hold over 25 meetings with major companies, universities, and institutions for investment and collaboration.
Concerns Over Initial Rejection
Kharge alleged that his original request, which included officials as part of the delegation, was rejected on June 4 without any official explanation. A revised application for only the officials was approved on June 11, and a subsequent request for the chairman of Keonics was granted on June 14. He emphasized the timeline of applications and decisions in his post, stating, "Understand the chronology."