Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR), said in Bengaluru on February 15 that IT and BT companies are hesitating to invest in the Mangaluru-Udupi-Manipal region due to communal tensions in the coastal belt.

Industry leaders and Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Captain Brijesh Chowta on February 16 reacted sharply to the statement made by Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Technology (IT), Biotechnology (BT) and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR), in Bengaluru on February 15 that IT and BT companies are hesitating to invest in the Mangaluru-Udupi-Manipal region due to communal tensions in the coastal belt.

They also reacted to his X post on February 16 which said: “Dakshina Kannada has an immense talent pool and can contribute significantly to the State’s growth. Political and religious leaders must ensure a conducive, stable environment for investments that generate employment…”

Reacting to Mr. Kharge’s views, Rohith Bhat, lead anchor, Mangaluru cluster of Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) and founding president of TiE Mangaluru Chapter, posted on X: “Respected Shri Priyank Kharge avare, the coastal Karnataka region wants to focus on positivity and growth. Regions go through challenging times, has happened in Bengaluru (DJ Halli, 2020), Bombay riots (1992), etc., and we are no different (the articles you quoted are from 2017 and 2019).” Mr. Bhat referred to articles attached by Mr. Kharge in his X post.

Mr. Bhat’ post further said, “But now, we want to be the second growth engine for the State and seeing tremendous traction for IT (40 new companies have started here with over 8000 new jobs added in the last two years). We can take this much much higher in coming years.”

“With proper vision and focus from State and Centre, just the Karnataka coast can build a half trillion dollar economy by 2047. Besides IT and Startups, there is a golden opportunity on the DC (Data Centre) side of things too. Our neighbouring states are sprinting along and we should not be left behind!” the post added.

“You are our leader and you should come and spend time with us and we can show how much we have progressed. We look to you for inspiration, guidance and support. Be our leader and inspire us with your actions,” Mr. Bhat, also founder of 99Games and Robosoft said.

Aroor Prashanth Rao, a leader in the hospitality industry, posted on X: “These articles are from 2017 and 2019. Dakshina Kannada is largely peaceful, with Mangaluru being the only city in India which features in the top 50 safest cities in the world. Let’s reward Dakshina Kannada with development now. Demarcate development clusters for ITBT, industrial clusters and infra backbone and soft marketing incentives so private investments can begin.”

Capt. Chowta posted on X: “Yet again a desperate attempt by Congress to paint our region in their old and archaic colours of negative ‘communal’ branding… If they had not been so insecure about the coast, we would have been driving the economy of Karnataka for decades. And it would be better for the Congress too, to stop this silly nasty game and focus on work instead.”