$15 bn Google funding provides tadka to Lokesh-Priyank squabble
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh’s IT and electronics minister Nara Lokesh is evidently unwilling to overlook the mortifying snub by his Karnataka counterpart Priyank Kharge.
In a submit on X, Nara Lokesh famous that some neighbors have been unable to digest the large investments the Andhra Pradesh authorities efficiently attracted.
“They are saying Andhra meals is spicy. Appears a few of our investments are too. Some neighbours are already feeling the burn!,” Lokesh wrote on X.
Whereas Lokesh didn’t identify the “neighbours”, netizens have been fast to reply.
They are saying Andhra meals is spicy. Appears a few of our investments are too. Some neighbours are already feeling the burn! 🌶️🔥 #AndhraRising #YoungestStateHighestInvestment
— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) October 16, 2025
“Neighbours assume they’re the Silicon Valley… the place actually the infrastructure crumbles each day from 9-5 pm,” mentioned one Dr Meghanath, replying beneath Lokesh’s submit.
Nara Lokesh’s submit comes a day after Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge reportedly remarked that AP’s largesse—an enormous incentive package deal to tech large Google—“is an financial catastrophe”.
On Tuesday, the US-based tech large introduced a $15 billion strategic funding, over 5 years, to determine India’s first Synthetic Intelligence hub at Visakhapatnam, aka Vizag, with a gigawatt-scale knowledge middle and a sturdy subsea community.
The venture goals to “place Vizag because the nation’s flagship AI metropolis and a catalyst for subsequent‑technology digital infrastructure and innovation”.
A day later, the warmth was on Priyank Kharge as opposition BJP and JD(S) slammed the Congress authorities for Karnataka lacking out on the huge venture and funding.
In a tweet, Karnataka BJP questioned if Priyank had the potential to draw investments like Google, which might “have offered employment to 30,000 individuals and earned the state Rs 10,000 crore”.
Priyank Kharge defended himself saying that the BJP and JD(S)—within the NDA alliance of which TDP can be a component—have been conveniently ignoring the truth that Andhra Pradesh was giving Google an “incentive value Rs 22,000 crore, 25 p.c subsidy on land, 25 p.c subsidy on water, free electrical energy and 100% reimbursement of State GST”.
The Congress minister went on to query if “the state can afford this?”
“If Karnataka had supplied the identical, we might have been accused of appeasing business, draining the monetary standing of Karnataka,” he informed reporters.
CM Chandrababu Naidu and Lokesh credited PM Narendra Modi for Google’s large funding and knowledge centre coming to Andhra. Priyank questioned, “What have been the BJP MPs (from Karnataka) doing?”
Priyank additionally claimed that the Siddaramaiah authorities held no discussions with Google over the AI venture that finally went to neighboring Andhra Pradesh.
Nara Lokesh’s tweet got here the subsequent day, “spicing up” the talk between the 2 states and triggering twitterati on either side.
“You’re a Minister in a State Authorities. I’d urge you to make statements on this platform that fits the dignity of the workplace you occupy. Competitors between States is sweet, however stopping to troll just isn’t in good style. Thanks to your consideration to this matter,” posted one Varun Hari Prasad, figuring out himself as a Kannadiga.
However not all appear to be nervous about Andhra Pradesh attracting the large funding. “Some neighbours are already feeling the burn?! Who??? Solely Karnataka is feeling the burn! Esp. Bengaluru!!! Please take away some jobs, tasks, lots of people, troubles, and visitors. We have to breathe free,” posted one Bobby Mathew from Bengaluru, beneath Lokesh’s submit.
Lokesh vs Priyank
Earlier this month, Lokesh’s tweet trying to capitalise on some entrepreneurs’ resentment over Bengaluru’s “crumbling infrastructure” and entice some investments to close by Anantapuram in Andhra Pradesh, had drawn Priyank’s ire.
“It’s pure for weaker ecosystems to feed off stronger ones. Nothing improper with that, however when it turns into determined scavenging, it reveals extra weak point than power,” Priyank posted in response to Lokesh’s on-line scouting, and added: “BTW, what’s an organism that lives in or on an organism of one other species and advantages by deriving vitamins on the different’s expense referred to as?”
It’s pure for weaker ecosystems to feed off stronger ones. Nothing improper with that, however when it turns into determined scavenging, it reveals extra weak point than power.
– Bengaluru’s GDP is projected to develop at a major 8.5% till 2035, positioning it because the world’s… https://t.co/E2tRggt8UW
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) October 2, 2025
Lokesh too didn’t maintain again his response. “Vanity, like potholes on roads, must be fastened first earlier than the journey will get tripped up!” the Andhra minister mentioned submitting his “humble suggestion”.
As India’s youngest state, we’re in search of each alternative to develop and generate jobs. I actually consider that as states compete for investments and jobs, India will prosper.
My humble suggestion – Vanity, like potholes on roads, must be fastened first earlier than the journey… https://t.co/niVlB5ke7Z
— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) October 2, 2025
On Thursday, as Lokesh, after his “spicy food-neighbour burn” submit accompanied his father and CM Naidu in PM Modi’s Srisailam-Kurnool tour, an in depth aide of the minister informed ThePrint, “it’s all in good humour”.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
Additionally learn: ‘Scavenging’ vs ‘conceitedness’—Priyank spars with Lokesh over invite to Bengaluru corporations to maneuver to Andhra
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