Posting on X, Siroya shared his pain: ‘Kharge ji’s words hurt deeply. He called me a migrant, suggesting I’m not truly from Karnataka.’ He elaborated on his life story—childhood move to Karnataka, decades of dedication, and unwavering loyalty. ‘Karnataka’s generous people embraced me with love and respect. I’ve spent my entire life here, becoming more Kannadiga than Rajasthani. But is my birthplace a disqualification?’

Siroya proudly claimed dual heritage from two storied lands—Rajasthan and Karnataka—both cradles of India’s rich legacy. He then dissected Kharge’s credentials. ‘Born in what was Nizam’s territory, educated in Hyderabad—Kharge only joined Kannada heartland post-reorganization. By his logic, is he too an outsider?’

The rebuttal peaked with a direct challenge on Sonia Gandhi. ‘Sitting right next to Kharge is Sonia Gandhi, his revered leader. If I’m external, what is she? Italy-born, Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan—does that make her a migrant there?’ Siroya underscored Rajasthan’s eternal Indian-ness versus Italy’s foreign status, flipping the narrative masterfully.

This wasn’t mere personal sparring; it touched on broader issues. During his budget speech, Siroya had advocated for Karnataka’s growth, prompting Kharge’s barb. Now, social media buzzes with opinions on regionalism’s role in national discourse. BJP circles hail Siroya’s response as a triumph of inclusive patriotism, while Congress faces accusations of hypocrisy. With elections looming, such exchanges could reshape voter sentiments on identity politics.