Union Minister Pralhad Joshi addressed the media in Hubballi on Sunday. | Photo credit: PTI
The Congress government in the state is neglecting tier-two cities like Hubballi-Dharwad by not inviting investment, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said in Hubballi on Sunday.
The State Government is not making any special efforts in setting up industries in the second tier cities. It also failed to sustain the industry in Bengaluru itself, he said.
For example: “We have seen Google’s data center shifted from Bengaluru to a neighboring state. Experts said it means a loss of investment of around ₹1.3 crore. We also learned that Google has invested nearly ₹3 crore in Odisha. We should realize that there should be healthy competition between states to attract investment,” but that’s fine with us. an investment that should be a tougher destination. Mr. Joshi said.
He said the state government can get top position in investments if Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his cabinet colleagues are more humble towards various stakeholders.
“The chief minister and his ministers should not talk arrogantly. I feel that some concessions should be made for second-tier cities. Moreover, several industries will come if the approach of the chief minister and other ministers is right,” he said.
“The state government seems to be bankrupt and unable to even pay the salaries of watermen in panchayats. Corruption and lack of accountability have risen to unprecedented levels so much so that Karnataka has been pushed back by more than 20 years,” Joshi said.
He said he would not respond to the question that the state government had not allowed the march of the RSS route in Chittapur. “I think the state government is deliberately trying to divert attention from its failures. But then the RSS has been taking marches since its inception,” he said.
Asked about Mr Siddaramaiah’s statement on Sanatan Dharma, Mr Joshi said Sanatan Dharma means Hinduism.
“It is because of Hinduism that there is peace and order in the country. There are riots in other countries,” Joshi said.
Meanwhile, he said that under the leadership of Nitesh Kumar, the NDA would achieve a historic victory in the Bihar elections.
Published – 19 Oct 2025 18:52 IST
