'Why was the clearance denied': Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge questions Centre after MEA grants him clearance for US visit

Karnataka Minister for Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology Priyank Kharge questioned the Centre after the MEA granted him clearance which was earlier denied. He was scheduled for an official visit to the US from June 14 to 27.

Kharge, in a post on X, said that he had sought permission on 15 May to travel to the US to represent the Government of Karnataka at two major global forums and for over 25 official meetings with top companies, universities and institutions for collaborations and pitch for investments.

He said that he did a questioned the basis of the denial on June 19 and after the matter was highlighted by by the media, he was given the clearance on the same day.

"On 19 June, I addressed a press conference, laying out the full chronology, questioning the basis of the denial and raising concerns about possible political interference. The matter was widely reported in the media. By the evening of the same day, the MEA revoked its earlier denial and issued a No Objection clearance dated 19 June," he posted on X.

"The timing raises serious questions: Why was the clearance denied in the first place?, Was the previous order revoked to avoid accountability after the matter became public, What is the point of granting clearance after the key events are either over or nearing completion?,  Will the MEA now avoid explaining the original decision by pointing to the belated approval?," he added.