Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge denied nod for US trip, says ‘will seek explanation from Centre'
The Centre has denied permission to Congress leader and Karnataka Minister for IT and Biotechnology Priyank Kharge to travel to the United States of America, where he was scheduled to participate in tech conferences.
Taking to X on Tuesday evening, Kharge stated that he would not comment on the issue immediately and would seek an explanation later. 'I'm holding back on making any public statements for now. Once I'm back in Bengaluru, I will seek a clear explanation from the Government of India regarding this denial,' he said.
Priyank Kharge, who is the son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, has been in France since June 11 to participate in multiple events and was scheduled to fly to the US later. 'He had sought permission from the central government to participate in the conferences in the USA. They initially delayed the permission and ultimately denied it,' sources in Kharge's office told The Indian Express.
The minister is expected to return to Bengaluru on Thursday. He had participated in sessions held at Viva Tech 2025 and the Paris Air Show over the past few days. Following the events in France, Kharge was slated to participate in the BIO International Convention at Boston – considered to be the largest biotech event – followed by the Design Automation Conference in San Francisco.
Sources added that while state government officials accompanying the minister were allowed to fly to the US to participate in the events, Kharge was denied permission at the last minute.
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