Andhra Pradesh IT and Industries Minister Nara Lokesh has reignited the political debate over the exit of major investments from the state by publicly apologizing to industrialist Jayadev Galla and the Amara Raja Group following the inauguration of the company’s new Customer Qualification Plant in Telangana.
The newly launched facility is part of Amara Raja’s proposed ₹9,500 crore Giga Corridor in Telangana. The project was originally expected to be established in Andhra Pradesh but was shifted to the neighboring state during the previous YSRCP government’s tenure. At the time, the company had alleged that it faced administrative hurdles and an unfavorable business environment.
Taking to X, Lokesh praised Amara Raja’s contribution to Andhra Pradesh’s industrial growth and expressed regret over the treatment the company allegedly received under the previous administration.
He said that for more than four decades, Amara Raja had been one of Andhra Pradesh’s greatest industrial success stories, creating thousands of jobs while building a globally recognized manufacturing brand. Lokesh stated that the company deserved encouragement rather than intimidation and expressed disappointment that an enterprise born in Andhra Pradesh had to seek its next phase of expansion outside the state.
Lokesh also extended an invitation to the Amara Raja Group to invest once again in Andhra Pradesh, assuring that the current government is committed to creating a business-friendly ecosystem. He emphasized that the state is “open for enterprise” and expressed hope that the company’s future growth story would once again be linked to Andhra Pradesh.
The minister’s remarks also revived memories of the political and industrial controversy involving Amara Raja during the previous government. Former TDP MP Jayadev Galla had earlier announced his decision to step away from active politics, citing the challenges faced by industrialists in public life. He had argued that businesses require numerous regulatory approvals every year, making them vulnerable to administrative pressure if governments misuse regulatory mechanisms.
Lokesh’s statement is being viewed as both a criticism of the previous YSRCP government’s handling of investors and a message to domestic and international businesses that the present Andhra Pradesh government is focused on restoring investor confidence. By highlighting the Amara Raja episode, the minister sought to reinforce the government’s pro-industry stance while assuring investors of a more stable and supportive business environment going forward.
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