Congress MLA Pradeep Eshwar today demanded Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tender an unconditional apology for his disparaging remarks against Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge and the state’s youth, amid a growing political row over semiconductor investments.

Eshwar said Sarma's comments were "unacceptable and deeply insulting," asserting that Karnataka has led India’s growth in information technology, startups, biotechnology, renewable energy and cutting-edge research. "Bengaluru alone contributes nearly 43 per cent of India’s IT exports, hosts over 400 major R&D centres and nurtures more than 1,400 startups," he said.

He reminded Sarma that the Assam Chief Minister had previously acknowledged Karnataka’s innovation ecosystem by tweeting about sending 1,500 youth from Assam to Bengaluru for leadership training.

"We respect the youth of Assam. Please respect the youth of Karnataka," Eshwar urged.

Demanding an apology to both the people of Karnataka and Priyank Kharge, he said the IT Minister symbolises the aspirations of the state’s youth. "Karnataka is the Silicon Capital of India. Any attempt to belittle our talent pool will not be tolerated," he asserted.

The controversy erupted after Sarma on Monday called Priyank Kharge a “first-class idiot,” accusing him of insulting Assamese youth by reportedly questioning whether Assam and Gujarat had the talent needed for the semiconductor industry. Sarma suggested legal action may be considered and later posted a video clip of his statement on social media repeating the remark.

Kharge’s comments, where he questioned why semiconductor projects were being pushed to Gujarat and Assam instead of Bengaluru and accused the Centre of "arm-twisting" investors, triggered the strong backlash. "What is there in Gujarat? Is there talent there? What is there in Assam? Is there talent there?" he had asked.

Assam minister Jayanta Malla Baruah also stepped into the row, alleging the Congress had "always hated Assam’s progress" and describing Kharge’s remarks as a "blatant insult" to hardworking Assamese youth.

The Assam government has been showcasing the Tata Electronics semiconductor facility coming up in Morigaon district at an investment of Rs 27,000 crore — billed as the biggest private sector project in the state — with the first production expected this fiscal.

The war of words has further sharpened political differences between BJP-ruled Assam and Congress-governed Karnataka, with leaders on both sides trading barbs online and in the media.