YSRCP leader sent mails to Singapore govt. to stall investments in A.P., alleges Lokesh

A day after the “successful Singapore visit”,  HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh has made a sensational disclosure that a person closely associated with the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) sent mails to the Singapore government and firms of international repute in an apparent bid to sabotage the State government’s efforts to rebuild the Brand Andhra image.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Mr. Lokesh accused the YSRCP sympathisers of deliberately attempting to block investments into the State. A person named Murali Krishna, allegedly linked to the previous YSRCP regime, had sent an email to the Singapore authorities cautioning them against investing in Andhra Pradesh, citing an imminent change of government. “This kind of sabotage is deeply unfortunate,” Lokesh said, adding, “This, we call criminalisation of politics. They don’t want investments, don’t want A.P. to develop.”

It was found that Mr. Murali Krishna is associated with Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy. The government has already initiated action. The government would not spare anyone who tried to tarnish the image and brand of Andhra Pradesh, he asserted.  

 “While States like Tamil Nadu show political maturity, where both DMK and AIADMK work jointly to attract investments, here in Andhra Pradesh, YSRCP leaders are actively working against the State’s development by writing letters discouraging companies from investing,” Mr. Lokesh said.

He questioned the motives behind such actions, emphasising the long-term damage they cause. “Who would want to bring capital to a region where political forces themselves attempt to undermine economic growth?” he asked. “In the end, it’s not the politicians but the people of Andhra Pradesh who lose out — on jobs, on infrastructure, on prosperity.”

Mr. Lokesh also used the occasion to contrast the current government’s proactive investment drive with the performance of the previous administration. “In just 14 months, the new government under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has attracted more investments than the YSRCP government could in five years,” he said.

Highlighting the recent success of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Singapore tour, the Minister noted that deals worth ₹45,000 crore have already been finalised. He reiterated that the current government is not engaging in symbolic MoUs but is focused on converting commitments into actual projects on the ground.