Battle for Bengaluru: As Karnataka woos Fortune 500 giants, BJP questions Rs 50 cr MLA fund allocation

According to Kharge, Karnataka now hosts over 9.5 lakh professionals in the tech space and continues to drive digital innovation for the world’s top enterprises.

In a major endorsement of Karnataka’s digital strength, Minister for IT/BT Priyank Kharge announced that 174 Fortune Global 500 companies have established Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India, with Bengaluru emerging as their preferred destination.

"The world's biggest companies continue to choose Karnataka," Kharge posted on X, highlighting the state's appeal to global tech and business leaders.

According to Kharge, Karnataka now hosts over 9.5 lakh professionals in the tech space and continues to drive digital innovation for the world’s top enterprises.

Kharge also detailed the Karnataka government's targeted initiatives under its GCC Policy to further boost high-tech R&D and workforce skilling:

"Under our dedicated GCC Policy, we've introduced: A Rs 100 crore Innovation Fund + AI Centre of Excellence to supercharge deep-tech research & joint academic-GCC projects."

Key highlights of the policy include:

Incentives for 1 lakh internships, graduate/diploma skilling, and leadership development

Fast-track approvals within 45 days, a one-stop GCC support cell, and digital access to commercial spaces

‘Beyond Bengaluru’ expansion with rental subsidies, EPF support, electricity duty exemptions, and infrastructure grants in Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi and other emerging cities

Even as the state rides high on investor optimism, a political row has erupted over development funds.

Deputy CM DK Shivakumar announced that each MLA constituency in Karnataka will receive Rs 50 crore for local infrastructure and public works. The allocation, part of the budgeted Rs 8,000 crore under the Chief Minister’s Constituency Development Program, is meant for both ruling and opposition MLAs, Shivakumar said.

“We had made this decision in the budget. About Rs 8,000 crores of funds were allocated for this... The funds have been given for public works, rural development, and the discretion of the MLAs,” he told reporters on Friday, as per an ANI report.

But the opposition BJP has alleged political bias, claiming the funds are being given only to Congress MLAs.

In a sharp post on X, BJP state president BY Vijayendra Yediyurappa accused the Congress-led government of nepotism and political appeasement:

"Are you the Chief Minister for Congress MLAs or for the state of Karnataka? In an attempt to save your wobbling Chief Minister's chair... you have released Rs 50 crore in funding... exclusively for the constituencies of Congress MLAs."

"You, who boast of having presented the budget 17 times, have tarnished the sanctity of the budget and displayed nepotism, proving yourself to be a hypocritical socialist," he added.

(With inputs from ANI)