Nara Lokesh Invites Bengaluru-Based Firms To Andhra, Priyanka Kharge Slams ‘Desperate Scavenging’

Last Updated:October 02, 2025, 18:22 IST

The spat began when Lokesh shared a news report highlighting the deteriorating condition of Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road (ORR) and its impact on start-ups

Priyank Kharge and Nara Lokesh | File Image

A political exchange unfolded on Thursday between Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh and Karnataka IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge after Lokesh criticised Bengaluru’s infrastructure and invited tech firms to consider relocating to Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.

The spat began when Lokesh shared a news report highlighting the deteriorating condition of Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road (ORR) and its impact on start-ups and companies exploring alternatives in North Bengaluru and Whitefield.

Quoting the report on X, Lokesh wrote, “North sounds good. Slightly more north is Anantapur… where we are building a world-class aerospace and defence ecosystem!”, a move seen as an attempt to attract firms across the border.

Kharge responded sharply, accusing Andhra Pradesh of attempting to benefit from Bengaluru’s strong ecosystem.

“It is natural for weaker ecosystems to feed off stronger ones. Nothing wrong with that, but when it turns into desperate scavenging, it shows more weakness than strength,” he wrote, backing his point with data on Bengaluru’s growth:

• Projected GDP growth of 8.5% until 2035, ranking it among the world’s fastest-growing cities.
• 5% rise in property prices expected in 2025.
• Top global rankings for urbanisation, innovation, and economic momentum, including the Savills Growth Hubs Index.
• Estimated urban population of 14.4 million by 2025, growing at 2.76% annually, making it a major migrant hub.

Kharge concluded his rebuttal with a pointed question: “BTW, what is an organism that lives in or on an organism of another species and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other’s expense called?”

In response to Kharge, Lokesh said, “As India’s youngest state, we are looking for every opportunity to grow and generate jobs. I truly believe that as states compete for investments and jobs, India will prosper.”

“My humble suggestion – Arrogance, like potholes on roads, should be fixed first before the journey gets tripped up!” he added.

Lokesh’s remarks form part of his ongoing effort to attract companies facing infrastructure challenges in Bengaluru.

Over the past few months, he has repeatedly promoted Andhra Pradesh, particularly Vizag and Anantapur, as business-friendly alternatives.

On September 17, he directly appealed to Blackbuck co-founder Rajesh Yabaji, who planned to move out of Bengaluru’s ORR, inviting him to relocate to Vizag.

In July, he also urged aerospace investors to consider Andhra Pradesh after Karnataka scrapped plans for a 1,777-acre aerospace park near Kempegowda International Airport, highlighting incentives and 8,000 plus acres of ready-to-use land near the city.

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