The Congress party took strong objection to the BJP’s claim that the party is responsible for setting up of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Dharwad (IIT-D).

A leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar, MP Prahlad Joshi and MLA Arvind Bellad during an interaction in Dharwad on Monday in the presence of former HRD Minister and present Textile Minister Smriti Irani had hailed her for granting an IIT for Dharwad. The party leaders in one voice claimed that it was the sole effort of the BJP that an IIT was granted to Dharwad and Smriti Irani was responsible for it.

Congress spokesperson Vasant Ladawa said the BJP was misleading the public over the issue. It was the Congress party which is responsible for sanctioning an IIT for Dharwad. Ladawa said it was the then chief minister Jagadish Shettar, who took a decision at a cabinet meeting to set up an IIT in Raichur despite recommendation by Prof U R Rao Committee that Dharwad is the best place to set up IIT in the state.

"The BJP leaders have forgotten the fact that it was the state government that recommended Dharwad for establishment of the prestigious institute. It was the Siddaramaiah-led government that got 500 acres sanctioned for the institute and allowed the IIT to use WALMI building as its transit campus," he claimed.