Bengaluru, long regarded as India’s IT capital, continues to be a hub for professionals from the Telugu states, despite Hyderabad emerging as a strong competitor in recent years. The city still dominates the IT sector, boasting robust infrastructure and a thriving business ecosystem.
However, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh has recently stirred tensions with the Karnataka government through a series of tweets highlighting Bengaluru’s traffic and infrastructure challenges. His aim appears to be attracting investments to Andhra Pradesh by positioning it as a viable alternative.
In a recent instance, when a journalist noted companies relocating northward within Bengaluru due to traffic congestion, Lokesh remarked that this shift could benefit Andhra Pradesh, particularly Anantapur, which is developing a “world-class aerospace and defence ecosystem.”
Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge responded sharply, criticizing Lokesh’s approach. Although Lokesh did not directly attack the Karnataka government, Kharge suggested that relying on another state’s challenges signals weakness rather than strength. He emphasized Bengaluru’s growth trajectory, highlighting the city’s projected GDP growth of 8.5% until 2035, its status as one of the fastest-growing urban centers globally, and its estimated population of 14.4 million in 2025 with a 2.76% annual growth rate.
Kharge went further, likening Lokesh to a parasite, stating, “What is an organism that lives in or on another species and benefits at its expense called?”
Lokesh defended his position, asserting that as India’s youngest state, Andhra Pradesh must pursue every opportunity to attract investments and create jobs. “As states compete for investments, India prospers. My humble suggestion—arrogance, like potholes on roads, should be fixed before the journey gets tripped up,” he said.
Kharge countered, emphasizing the importance of constructive competition: “We welcome competition, but desperate scavenging is not a strength. Governments must acknowledge problems and provide solutions. And regarding arrogance, the farmers of Andhra Pradesh have already advised their Government. My very best to the youngest state.”
The exchange highlights the growing rivalry between Bengaluru and Andhra Pradesh as both states seek to strengthen their positions in India’s rapidly expanding IT and industrial landscape.
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