Industry Voices Disappointment Over Minister's Remarks on Mangaluru's Investment Climate
Minister Priyank Kharge's recent assertion that Mangaluru's communal image is hampering investment in the region has left local industry leaders deeply disappointed. The controversy erupted after Kharge shared a letter from the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on social media platform X, highlighting a meeting that discussed the impact of recent communal incidents in Dakshina Kannada on trade and commerce.
The Minister's Social Media Post Sparks Debate
In his post, Minister Kharge wrote, "The joke is on the people who are turning a blind eye to the problem. Dakshina Kannada contributes the second-highest share at 5.4%, while Bengaluru is close to 40%. This gap speaks for itself." He emphasized the need for the Local Economic Accelerator Program (LEAP), stating that every district could significantly boost the state's GDP with a more conducive investment environment.
Kharge questioned political and religious leaders in the region, asking, "Is it too much to expect them to act responsibly to attract more investment and create jobs?" He specifically criticized a former Union minister from the region, accusing them of spreading hate without contributing to development, while asserting his government's commitment to delivering for Karavali.
KCCI Clarifies Meeting Context
In response, the KCCI clarified that they were invited to the meeting, which included both elected and nominated representatives. The chamber explained that the discussions primarily focused on practical measures such as relaxing working hours for businesses and ensuring free movement of people within the district, particularly in light of prohibitory orders and provisions under the BNSS.
The KCCI emphasized that the meeting was convened in response to specific incidents occurring in the region at that time, rather than as a broad commentary on Mangaluru's investment climate.
Local Industry Leaders Push Back
Rohith Bhat, founding member of the Silicon Beach Programme (SBP), expressed strong disagreement with the minister's characterization. "The gap between Bengaluru and the DK region is exactly what we've been highlighting," Bhat stated. "If you examine major project announcements over the last 2.5 years, most have gone to Bengaluru. It's as if other regions don't even exist."
Bhat challenged what he called "continued insinuations" based on past incidents from 2017 and 2019, noting that Bengaluru has also experienced similar challenges. "There are agencies to handle such matters," he argued. "We should apply the same standards to Mangaluru."
Calls for Implementation Over Rhetoric
While acknowledging LEAP as an excellent initiative that received widespread applause during the minister's visit to Mangaluru for Technovanza in September 2025, Bhat pointed out that over five months have passed since its announcement with little visible progress.
"We have made representations through KDEM and hope for concrete action soon," Bhat added. He highlighted that recent collaborative efforts by various stakeholders in the region have been building a positive narrative that's beginning to show results, making the minister's comments particularly frustrating for those working to improve Mangaluru's economic prospects.
The exchange underscores growing tensions between political narratives about regional development and ground-level business concerns, with industry leaders calling for more balanced regional investment distribution and faster implementation of promised economic programs.
