Bengaluru, 28 Oct

The Karnataka Congress accused Andhra Pradesh of “luring” Google away from the State. 

This comes after the tech giant announced plans to set up a Rs 15,000 cr AI data centre hub in Visakhapatnam. The move had triggered a war of words between IT Minister Priyank Kharge and his Andhra counterpart Nara Lokesh over which state deserves the title of India’s true Silicon Valley.

“Karnataka didn’t lose Google, it was lured away,” the Congress said in a statement on X. It said Google went to Andhra Pradesh because it offered “bribes”. 

“Here’s what was offered: 15 years of free power; 10 years of water at 25 per cent cost; 480 acres of land at throwaway rates; 100 per cent SGST reimbursement worth Rs 2,245 crore,” it claimed. 

“We don’t beg, plead or even coerce investment; we attract it because we are India’s No.1 state in FDI. We are the Tech Capital of India,” it added.  “We attract investors not through infeasible incentives, but through talent, innovation, and integrity.”

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and KPCC President vowed to keep fighting for the City’s IT development.  He also highlighted Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius' praise for the City’s talent to underscore Bengaluru’s growing stature as a global innovation hub.

“His appreciation that every visit here 'doubles his energy' is a proud recognition of our people's brilliance. Bengaluru's creativity, talent and spirit of innovation continue to inspire the world's best," he said.

Meanwhile, Lokesh reposted the former NITI Aayog CEO praise of Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for securing Google, which he said would be the “beginning of new wave”.

Lokesh thanked Naidu and the Centre.