VIJAYAWADA: A spicy post by IT Minister Nara Lokesh on October 16, celebrating Google’s AI Data Center investment in Visakhapatnam, has sparked a heated debate on social media.
The investment, the largest outside the USA for the tech giant, drew both praise and criticism.
Lokesh’s post on X read, “They say Andhra food is spicy. Seems some of our investments are too. Some neighbors are already feeling the burn,” accompanied by symbols of hot chilli and flames.
The veiled dig at IT hubs like Karnataka and Telangana drew a strong rebuttal from Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge, who highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s Rs 1.61 lakh crore debt, questioning the state’s boasts about investments.
When asked for his take, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar defended the need for initial incentives and discounts to build ecosystems for new businesses.
“Such sacrifices are essential. Just as launching a new product requires freebies or discounts to attract buyers and ensure progress, Andhra Pradesh—a smaller state—must offer these to draw investors; otherwise, no one would come,” he stated.
Pemmasani added that such generous terms may not be extended to future projects or at the same scale, noting that established states like Karnataka have mature ecosystems allowing them greater leverage.
Vishnu Vardhan terms remarks of Karnataka IT Minister unfortunate
“Andhra is like a startup still developing its base, so incentives are crucial. Watch how Andhra transforms in the next 5-10 years,” he predicted.
Meanwhile, BJP National Council member S Vishnu Vardhan Reddy slammed Priyank Kharge’s remarks as unfortunate, expressing shock that divisive attitudes are emerging from a forward-thinking state like Karnataka.
He called on Kharge to gain political maturity and knowledge, stressing that leaders should promote mutual respect and constructive ties instead of inflammatory comments about other regions.
Reddy emphasized the unique challenges and growth trajectories of different states, advocating for respectful and warm discourse that celebrates their people, culture, and advancements to promote national cohesion. He also cautioned the Congress party against divisive tactics, warning that sensationalist media politics would not yield results without addressing the pressing issues in their home state. Instead, Reddy emphasized the importance of inter-state collaboration and unity in driving India’s holistic progress.
In contrast, YSRCP leader and ex-minister Gudivada Amarnath pressed the TDP-led administration to disclose the true job creation from the Visakhapatnam data center, accusing IT Minister Nara Lokesh of resorting to personal jabs to dodge scrutiny over vague details.
Amarnath pointed out that the coalition has pledged Rs 22,000 crore in concessions but hasn’t clarified benefits for the state or its jobless youth.
“SIPB and cabinet records explicitly state only 200 jobs, yet the government and its PR machine hype 1.90 lakh jobs—an implausible figure,” he charged. The YSRCP supports growth and investments but demands transparency on employment outcomes and fiscal effects, he maintained.
