VIJAYAWADA: Asserting that the TDP-led NDA govt in Andhra Pradesh has been successful in securing Rs 4 lakh crore investments in just seven months, minister for IT and HRD Nara Lokesh said it is essential to have consistent policies and continuity in governance. The national general secretary of TDP said the first question they receive from investors in India and abroad is about what happens if there is a change of govt in the state.
Lokesh, who is responsible for big-ticket investments like Google, Reliance, and TCS in the state, said it took a lot of perseverance to convince industry giants to set shop in Andhra after the “devastating” five-year rule of YSRCP. “People of AP should also make a distinction between the previous destructive govt and the present NDA govt. They have to judge two models of governance and ensure the state continues on the path of development by electing NDA in successive terms,” he said.
In an interview to STOI, Lokesh said the govt is working to make Andhra a preferred investment destination with the speed of doing business. “We want to compete with not only our fellow states but also with countries like Dubai and Singapore,” he said.
He thanked Union govt for its “amazing support” to the state and said it would be a crime at some point if they ask for more. “Capital Amaravati and Polavaram are on track now, and Visakhapatnam steel plant is getting revived. BPCL refinery, NTPC green hydrogen project, and railway line to Amaravati are happening with the support of Union govt,” he mentioned.
Responding to the implementation of ‘Red Book’ (a record maintained by Lokesh before the assembly polls), he said it was endorsed by the people, and it is one of the reasons people came out to vote in large numbers. However, he clarified that it will not be used for vindictive politics.