India, Oct. 28 -- A war of words has erupted between Congress leader Priyank Kharge and the Assam Bharatiya Janata Party, with chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday saying his government was considering registering a case against the Karnataka IT minister for allegedly stating that there is no talent in the northeastern state for setting up big industries like a semiconductor unit.

Priyaank Kharge hit back at Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of trying to "whitewash his failures" by giving his statements a "political spin". He added that the Assam chief minister should reflect on why young people are leaving the northeastern state to find work elsewhere.

On Tuesday, the Assam BJP jumped into the debate, describing the Congress le...