'Andhra Food Is Spicy, So Is...': Nara Lokesh Takes Dig At Karnataka Over Google Setback

Last Updated:October 16, 2025, 11:01 IST

The latest round of swipe follows Google's plans to build an artificial intelligence hub in Visakhapatnam and invest $15 billion for a mega project.

Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh

As Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh continue to compete over the potholed roads and investment opportunities in Bengaluru, Telugu Desam Party leader and Minister in the Andhra government on Thursday launched a jibe on the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government stating, “Andhra food is spicy and some of their investments too".

Taking to X, Lokesh wrote, “They say Andhra food is spicy. Seems some of our investments are too. Some neighbours are already feeling the burn."

In addition to the jibe launched at the Karnataka government, the Andhra minister also used tags such as #AndhraRising #YoungestStateHighestInvestment.

The latest round of swipe follows Google’s plans to build an artificial intelligence hub in Visakhapatnam and invest $15 billion for a mega project.

Google’s decision to opt for the big investment in Andhra became a point of criticism of the Karnataka government by several opposition leaders with JDS suggesting that Bengaluru, the country’s own Silicon City, was overlooked for the project due to the Congress government’s failure to create a business-friendly environment.

In addition to this, Karnataka is also facing criticism following a a tweet by Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw who commented on the increasing potholes and degrading quality of roads and asked, “Why are the roads (in Bengaluru) so bad… Why is there so much garbage… Doesn’t the government want to support investment?"

Soon Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Congress leader Priyank Kharge defended the state. “You can’t match Bengaluru infrastructure, startups, human resources, and innovations…" Shivakumar said, dismissing attempts to poach businesses and industrial investment.

Responding to Mazumdar-Shaw’s lament, Kharge said, “Constructive criticism is welcome." He further cited factors like ‘unprecedented rains, high growth rate, massive urbanisation as the result of large numbers of migrant workers’ for the infrastructure problems.

Mahima Joshi

Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and a...Read More

Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and a...

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News politics 'Andhra Food Is Spicy, So Is...': Nara Lokesh Takes Dig At Karnataka Over Google Setback

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