Semiconductor firms being arm-twisted to invest in Gujarat: K'taka IT minister

New Delhi: Karnataka IT minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday alleged that semiconductor companies are being arm-twisted to make investments in Gujarat.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event here, Kharge in an apparent attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged that when people at the top of the pyramid are playing the role of a chief minister instead of a Prime Minister then states like Karnataka will suffer.

"It's not a level playing field. By default, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are the right platforms. We have a very fertile ecosystem but unfortunately, none of it (semiconductor manufacturing) is coming to us. I am very blunt about it.

“I think companies are being arm-twisted to go to Gujarat," Kharge said when asked about the lack of proposals for semiconductor manufacturing in the state.

Kharge said that the Centre should be asked for reasons for investments going to Gujarat despite Karnataka having skill sets, research and development centres, a vibrant ecosystem and state policies to complement the central government’s scheme.

At the event, the minister said that Karnataka's ecosystem is not limited to supporting the local ecosystem but to cater to the global requirement.

Kharge was speaking on the sidelines of an event here to promote the 27th Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS). The three-day BTS will be held in Bengaluru from November 19 to 21.

He said the state government will showcase the entire ecosystem – innovation, skills, knowledge etc during the BTS.