Overview

• On June 19, the MEA granted political clearance for Kharge’s US trip, reversing its unexplained refusal on June 4.
• His May 15 application sought to represent Karnataka at the BIO International Convention in Boston, the Design Automation Conference in San Francisco and more than 25 investment meetings to foster collaborations, attract funds and create jobs.
• Kharge publicly wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on June 19 demanding a formal explanation for both the initial ban and the belated approval.
• He argued that the 36-day delay undermined Karnataka’s economic interests and the spirit of cooperative federalism, questioning the timing and motives of the reversal.
• The incident echoes recent denials faced by Mamata Banerjee and P Thiaga Rajan, highlighting concerns over consistency in the MEA’s discretionary clearance process.