Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Karg on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, after the latter asked for a ‘white paper’ on infrastructure development projects in Bengaluru. Instead, Karg suggested that Surya ask for a white paper from the Acche Din Centre, the government’s promises, and the value of the rupee against the dollar, among other issues.
This exchange highlights the ongoing political sparring between the Congress government in the state and the opposition over development claims and economic management, which is particularly prevalent in Bengaluru.
Speaking to reporters, Karg pointed out that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hails from Karnataka, which means the central administration is in a better position to take into account economic policies and their impact on the state. He defended the state’s performance, stressing that economic growth in Karnataka currently exceeds the national average.
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“Everyone knows the economic situation in Karnataka. He doesn’t need to ask us. He can just ask the Modi government, no. Nirmala Sitharaman is the finance minister from Karnataka. Karnataka is growing above the national average. First, let him show… Give the white paper to ‘Acche Din’. Let him give a white paper on the jobs promised for 2 lakh crore. Let him give a white paper on upcoming investments. Let him give a white paper on FDI which is starting to dry up. Give a white paper on the rupee for Dollar, what is the valuation? He said.
He stressed that the state government’s actions and development data remain transparent and available to the public.
“Acche Din, Viksit Bharat, Amrit Kaal, Skill India, Digital India, Make in India are presenting a white paper on all these first. Our white paper is actually a transparent sabka nikalo pehle white paper,” he said.
His remarks come after Tejasvi Surya urged Karnataka Minister for Greater Bengaluru Development Krishna Bair Gowda to issue a comprehensive white paper within 30 days detailing spending on city roads over the past three years on Tuesday.
He questioned the Congress-led government over its claim of $Rs 5,500 crore has been spent on Bengaluru roads, claiming that potholes are common and the condition of the roads continues to deteriorate.
Later, he pointed out the dysfunction in the Bengaluru Metro, alleging that there was a glaring discrepancy between the city’s workforce and its management failures in an X post.
When asked about the RSS’s response to his earlier letter, Kharge noted that although he was willing to give the group more time, he taunted them about not being able to find the papers due to their long history.
“He will come. Why are you in such a hurry? Poor men. It is a 100-year-old organisation. They must have kept the papers somewhere in Jagannath Bhavan, or Keshav Krupa, or some Sarsangchalak’s house… It’s only been a month. This is 100 years of history of the Deshbhakts. They will produce them today or tomorrow. As long as they don’t lose my letter, I’m fine, we’ll send reminders.”
He escalated his attack, saying: “It seems that these people have an opinion on every policy, but when it comes to showing their cards, they are cowards.”
Kharge expressed doubts regarding the organization’s transparency, challenging the group to prove its nationalist claims. “They claim to be the most nationalistic organization in the history of the country. Is this their nationalism? Hiding registration papers? Hiding income tax details? Hiding sources of funds?” He asked.
Earlier on June 15, Karji wrote an open letter to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), seeking clarification of its legal status, financial transparency and constitutional accountability as the organization celebrates its 100th anniversary.
In his open letter, Karg said the organization which claims to have over 60 lakh shashas and crores of swayamsevaks in India and abroad has a significant presence in public life and, therefore, must adhere to “the highest standards of transparency, accountability and constitutional compliance”.
Citing the annual report for 2025-26 issued by the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), the highest decision-making body of the RSS, Karg said the organization has a large footprint in Karnataka, with 4,127 daily chachas, 1,389 weekly milans and 60 monthly mandals. (that I)
