‘How are they crossing BJP-ruled states and reaching Karnataka?’ Priyank Kharge hits back at BJP over Aadhaar allegations

BENGALURU: Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday hit back at allegations that Aadhaar cards are being issued to Bangladeshis in exchange for Rs 1,500, questioning how they are entering the country in the first place, pointing to the central government’s responsibility for border security, a portfolio held by Amit Shah.

He pointed fingers at the BJP, asking if guarding the border is the job of Home Minister G Parameshwara or if Amit Shah is “eating peanuts”. “First, tell us how Bangladeshis are entering the country at all. Is guarding the border the job of G Parameshwara? Is Amit Shah eating peanuts or what?” questioned Kharge.

The comments were made amid ongoing political friction, with Priyank Kharge accusing the state BJP of avoiding its duty as an opposition party and focusing on trivial issues rather than matters of state or national importance. Kharge alleged that Bangladeshis are crossing through BJP-ruled states to reach Karnataka and that a BJP former MLA in Mahadevapura conducted a “public awareness campaign”.

Bengaluru | On allegations that Aadhaar cards are being issued to Bangladeshis for Rs 1,500, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge says, “First, tell us how Bangladeshis are entering the country at all. Is guarding the border the job of G Parameshwara? Is Amit Shah eating peanuts or… pic.twitter.com/ylWA9HD4AW

— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026

“How are they crossing BJP-ruled states and reaching Karnataka? In Mahadevapura, a BJP former MLA conducted a so-called public awareness campaign. It has already come on national channels that Bangladeshis obtained Aadhaar cards and voted for the BJP. You should ask these questions to BJP MLAs and the BJP leadership, not to us”, he added.

Priyank Kharge said such questions should be directed at BJP MLAs and the party leadership, not at the Karnataka government.

Earlier, the Karnataka Minister HK Patil condemned the Centre’s decision to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), describing it as “draconian”. “It is unfortunate that the government of India has repealed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. This is one of the draconian decisions the Government of India has made, which is to repeal MGNREGA”, Patil said.

He said the Act had ensured the right to work for rural citizens. “MGNREGA was giving the right to work to the people, but the central government has snatched that right from people, particularly those agricultural labourers, labourers who were dwelling in rural areas,” he said. (ANI)