K'taka Minister Priyank Kharge questions MEA's "U-turn" on his US visit; claims loss of investment opportunities

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 22 (ANI): Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge questioned the Centre on Sunday for its "U-turn" on its decision to grant him approval to visit the United States, claiming that the delay in approval has led to loss of investment opportunities for the state. Kharge alleged that the MEA's decision is politics being played by Opposition-ruled states.
"This question should be asked to the MEA. Why did they deny the delegation led by me, and why are they allowing it now? What was wrong then and what is right now?...We were supposed to be there from 13th June, and it is 21st already. Do you think World Expos and World Trade exhibitions will wait for us?" Kharge told ANI.
The state minister said that Karnataka is "one of the biggest economic growth engines" for the country, making it important to seek investments too. He alleged that while certain southern states are driving the GDP of the country, they are also facing problems.
"The politics being played is also to be explained by the MEA not by me. (This is) denying us the right to seek investments and create jobs, we are one of the biggest economic growth engines for the country... if we don't get to go abroad and seek investments, have you seen UP or Bihar CM going to get investment? It is always Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu - we are the ones who are driving 50% of the GDP of the country and you (central Govt) doing such things is of no use to anybody," the state minister said.
On Saturday, the Congress leader had posted on X demanding an explanation for denying him permission to visit US and represent Karnataka in various global forums and official meetings. He said that he had submitted his request for travelling to US from June 14 since May 15, but was rejected without an explanation.
His post read, "So in a U-turn, the Ministry of External Affairs has now decided to revoke its earlier decision and grant me a clearance for an official visit to the United States. I had sought permission on 15 May to travel between 14-27 June to represent the Government of Karnataka at two major global forums and over 25 official meetings with top companies, universities and institutions for collaborations and pitch for investments...My application was denied without any official explanation."
He explained that the application for the minister and his delegation was submitted on May 15, which was later rejected on June 4. Kharge added that an application for the officer delegation without the minister was submitted on June 6, and it got clearance on June 11. (ANI)