Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh took a sharp jibe at Karnataka’s IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge on October 15 amid the escalating political war between the two southern states over Google’s massive Rs 1.3 lakh crore investment in Visakhapatnam.
In a witty post on X, Lokesh wrote, “They say Andhra food is spicy; looks like some of our investments have also become too hot for them to handle. Our neighbours are already feeling the heat,” ending his remark with a chilli emoji an indirect yet pointed dig at Karnataka.
They say Andhra food is spicy. Seems some of our investments are too. Some neighbours are already feeling the burn! 🌶️🔥 #AndhraRising #YoungestStateHighestInvestment
— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) October 16, 2025
The verbal clash began after Priyank Kharge called the Andhra Pradesh government’s massive incentive package to Google an “economic disaster,” questioning the state’s financial prudence. The project, expected to create around 30,000 jobs, is seen as a major industrial milestone for Andhra Pradesh but also a missed opportunity for Karnataka, which has long positioned itself as India’s tech capital.
Earlier this week, Kharge criticised the Andhra government for what he called “unsustainable” incentives offered to Google. He claimed Andhra Pradesh was offering an incentive package worth Rs 22,000 crore, including a 25 per cent subsidy on land and water, free electricity, and a 100 per cent refund of state GST.
“Such a policy would bankrupt any state. If Karnataka had done this, the same people would have accused us of driving the state into financial ruin,” Kharge said while reacting to opposition criticism over Karnataka allegedly losing Google’s investment to Andhra Pradesh.
"Andhra Pradesh Govt is giving huge subsidies to Google for its Visakhapatnam Data Centre, like 25% land, free water and electricity.
Can any state afford it?"
– Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge pic.twitter.com/jI9EsaS6tC
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) October 15, 2025
The Congress minister’s remarks came as BJP and JD(S) leaders accused the Siddaramaiah government of failing to retain major global tech investments. Kharge countered that Karnataka’s industrial ecosystem was strong and sustainable, and said such “financially reckless offers” by Andhra were not replicable.
Nara Lokesh, son of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, hit back the next day both online and in a press conference, saying Andhra Pradesh had earned the Google investment through efficiency and proactive governance.
“Some of our neighbors seem upset that Andhra is progressing. We are proud that one of the youngest states in India is attracting the highest level of investment,” Lokesh said, without directly naming Karnataka.
Speaking to reporters, Lokesh said, “Industrialists from Karnataka themselves have said the infrastructure there is deteriorating and that power cuts are frequent. They should focus on fixing their own problems before commenting on others.”
He added that the deal with Google came after several rounds of meetings and negotiations. “Many states competed to host this project. But Andhra was chosen because we resolved all the challenges and provided a transparent, industry-friendly environment,” he said.
While defending Andhra’s policies, Lokesh emphasised that inter-state competition for global investments should be viewed positively. “This kind of competition among states is healthy. Eventually, it benefits the entire country. If India grows, every state will prosper,” he remarked.
He also drew a parallel with the 1990s IT boom, crediting his father, Chandrababu Naidu, for transforming Hyderabad into a global technology hub. “During the computer revolution, many mocked us, asking, ‘Can we eat computers?’ But because of Naidu’s foresight and incentives for tech companies, Hyderabad became a tech city, employing lakhs of people,” he said.
Lokesh’s blend of humour and pointed commentary has reignited political tensions between the two states. His remarks came just a day after Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu celebrated the Google deal as a “historic moment for Andhra’s digital economy.”
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