Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh’s IT ministers have locked horns in a fiery war of words over Google’s proposed $15 billion AI data centre in Visakhapatnam.
Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge slammed Andhra for offering what he called “massive subsidies” to the tech giant, branding it “an economic disaster in disguise.”
Kharge pointed out that the state’s incentive package; including full GST reimbursement, subsidised land, water, and power; is valued at nearly ₹22,000 crore.
“Bengaluru has built its IT strength without selling its future,” Kharge said, taking a direct jab at Andhra’s investment model.
Andhra IT Minister Nara Lokesh was quick to respond with a cheeky comeback on X: “They say Andhra food is spicy. Seems some of our investments are too. Some neighbours are already feeling the burn!”
His post, laced with chilli and fire emojis, went viral in minutes.
Not one to stay quiet, Kharge fired back: “Everyone enjoys a bit of spice in their food, but just as nutritionists recommend a balanced diet, economists too advocate a balanced budget. Whatever said and done, we will always be: ‘Neighbour’s envy and Owner’s pride.’”
Kharge pointed out that Andhra’s total liabilities have now ballooned to nearly ₹10 lakh crore.
He also noted that the state borrowed over ₹1.61 lakh crore in just one year, with the revenue deficit-to-GSDP ratio worsening from 2.65% to 3.61%.
This clash follows a similar spat last month when Lokesh pitched Andhra’s aerospace and defence ecosystem to a logistics firm looking to move out of north Bengaluru.
Kharge retorted that “weaker ecosystems feed off stronger ones,” while Lokesh hit back, saying, “arrogance, like potholes, should be fixed first before the journey gets tripped up.”
The exchange highlights the intensifying race between Indian states for big-ticket tech investments — and the debate over whether aggressive subsidies or long-term innovation will define India’s next tech hub.
