Babu Busy With Investors, Jagan’s ‘Bad’ Tweet On AP!

Andhra Pradesh is in the global spotlight as Visakhapatnam hosts the 31st CII Partnership Summit on November 12 and 13. Global investors, business leaders and delegates from nearly 59 countries have arrived in Vizag. Chandrababu Naidu’s government is using this opportunity to attract major investments and create jobs in the state.

Several Union ministers and international business leaders are attending the summit. The government is showcasing AP’s potential in technology, data centres, manufacturing, green energy, ports and other sectors. Several investment proposals and MoUs are also expected during the event.

At this important time, YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has come up with a tweet questioning Andhra Pradesh’s economic growth.

Jagan pointed to falling electricity sales, slow growth in state tax revenues and unemployment figures to question the Chandrababu government’s claims. He also questioned the government’s announcement of 23 lakh jobs, arguing that the ground situation is different from what the government is projecting.

Jagan’s argument is that if industries are growing and the economy is doing well, power consumption, revenues and employment should also increase.

Another reason for lower power sales could be AP’s rapid shift towards solar energy under Babu’s government. Through the PM Surya Ghar scheme and additional state subsidies, thousands of poor families, including SC/ST and BC households, are getting free or subsidised rooftop solar systems. As more homes generate their own electricity, their dependence on DISCOMs naturally comes down. AP has already crossed 2.66 lakh rooftop solar installations under the scheme. This could also be one reason behind the lower power sales figures Jagan is highlighting.

However, the timing of this tweet is interesting. While Chandrababu is meeting investors and trying to bring global companies to Andhra Pradesh, Jagan is highlighting problems like unemployment, industrial closures and poor economic growth.

Since coming to power in June 2024, the Chandrababu government has been actively inviting companies to invest in AP. Several major projects in data centres, steel, electronics and renewable energy have been announced. The Vizag summit is another major step in this direction.

Of course, the opposition has every right to question the government’s claims. Investment announcements must translate into actual industries and jobs. But big projects take time to become operational and show results.

At a time when Andhra Pradesh is trying to attract global investors, negative messaging about the state’s economy can send a different signal. Political differences apart, bringing investments and creating jobs should be a common priority for every political party in the state.

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