Bengaluru: Karnataka’s IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge has once again landed in controversy — this time over his alleged fake educational claims and contradictory details in election affidavits. The state BJP has accused the Congress minister of misleading the public and falsifying his academic background, demanding that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah immediately drop him from the cabinet.
The row began after the Karnataka BJP’s official X handle posted a scathing remark mocking the minister’s qualifications. The party said that while “everyone after PUC talks about pursuing engineering or medicine, Priyank Kharge says he will join SSLC after PUC.” Sharing an image of what it claims to be Kharge’s affidavit, the BJP sarcastically captioned it: “The only intellectual in the world who joined SSLC after PUC.”
The post went viral within hours, triggering widespread criticism of Kharge and embarrassment for the Congress government. The BJP alleged that the minister had mentioned different educational qualifications in multiple election affidavits filed over the years — an act that could amount to misrepresentation under the Representation of the People Act.
Changing affidavits and questionable claims
According to the Election Commission’s official records, Priyank Kharge stated in his 2023 election affidavit that he completed his First PUC from MES College, Malleswaram, in 1996 and later obtained a Professional Certificate in Computer Arts and Animation in 1999. However, in previous years, Kharge had described his education differently, claiming to have pursued studies equivalent to a degree in digital animation — raising questions about the consistency and legitimacy of his statements.
PUC ಆದಮೇಲೆ SSLC ಸೇರಿದ ಪ್ರಪಂಚದ ಏಕೈಕ ಬುದ್ದಿಜೀವಿ @PriyankKharge pic.twitter.com/90VLxKehXu
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) October 29, 2025
BJP leaders alleged that these discrepancies were not minor clerical errors but deliberate attempts to exaggerate his academic standing for political gain. “This is a clear case of misleading voters. When a sitting minister cannot even be truthful about his own education, what moral right does he have to remain in office?” said BJP spokesperson S Prakash.
Old controversy reignited
This is not the first time Kharge’s educational qualifications have come under scrutiny. During the 2023 Assembly elections, opposition parties had already questioned the authenticity of his claims, forcing Kharge to defend himself publicly. He had said, “I was surprised to see media reports that I am only a PUC pass. I studied Digital Animation, which is now considered equivalent to a degree. No one knows that I secured the 13th rank at the National Law School and was among the four MLAs selected to study the Scotland Referendum.”
However, BJP leaders have now challenged this claim as well, pointing out that the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) has no record of Kharge ever being a student there. “If the minister is so confident, let him release his enrollment documents and academic certificates. Otherwise, the people will believe he has fabricated his qualifications,” said former minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan.
Political backlash and public anger
The BJP’s offensive has placed the Congress government in an awkward position. Many within the party privately admit that the issue could damage its credibility, particularly at a time when questions about governance and corruption are already mounting. Social media users have also joined the debate, with hashtags like #FakeDegreeMinister and #KhargeEducationScam trending across Karnataka.
Several civil society activists have demanded an official inquiry into the matter, stating that falsifying affidavit information is a serious electoral violation. “If an ordinary citizen lies in an affidavit, they face criminal action. Why should ministers be above the law?” asked activist Ramesh Naik.
