Now, Jagan is freely moving in the state. In fact Jagan is given more security than our deputy CM. Had we resorted to vendetta politics, Jagan will not able to come out of his house Nara Lokesh AP IT, HRD Minister

AP IT, HRD Minister Nara Lokesh has emphatically ssaid that there is no Vendetta politics in Andhra Pradesh like the one existed during the past YS Jagan’s regime. “In the past regime, present CM Chandrababu Naidu or I were not allowed to come out of our houses to organise protests. Our gates and main doors were locked by the police. Now, Jagan is freely moving in the state. In fact Jagan is given more security than our deputy CM. Had we resorted to vendetta politics, Jagan will not able to come out of his house,” he said.

Answering a query at the India Today Enclave, Lokesh accepted that he had a Red Book with the names of YRSCP leaders and some officials who haraased the TDP leaders, activists and sympathisers out of vengeance. “ I am from Stanford University and there are 23 cases foisted against me. There is one SC/ST Atrocities Case and another Attempt to Murder. There is nothing wrong if those who misused the law and position to harass their politicaloppnenta to face the music of law now. If I break any law I should be punished. We have restore the basic tents of democracy,” he said.

Answering a plethora of questions, Lokesh said Andhra Pradesh is at a pivotal moment, ready to transition seamlessly from Information Technology (IT) to Artificial Intelligence (AI), according to Nara Lokesh, the State’s Minister for IT, Electronics, Education, and Human Resources. Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2025, Lokesh emphasized that with the right ecosystem and policy framework, Andhra Pradesh is positioned to lead the next technological revolution.

When asked whether Andhra Pradesh could compete with established tech hubs like Bengaluru, Chennai, or Hyderabad, Lokesh delivered a sharp response, stating “Karnataka has Bangalore, Tamil Nadu has Chennai, Telangana has Hyderabad. Andhra Pradesh has Chandrababu Naidu. He is our competitive advantage.”

He credited his father, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, as the visionary behind Andhra Pradesh’s growth trajectory, drawing parallels to his role in transforming Hyderabad into an IT powerhouse.

Lokesh underscored the state’s commitment to AI, announcing the creation of a 500-acre Data City near Visakhapatnam, aimed at mirroring Hyderabad’s Hitec City success. “We are going to build a new Data City in Visakhapatnam, and there’s no second thought about it,” he declared.

Lokesh identified AI as the next big revolution, stressing that states with the right ecosystem, talent pool, and ease of doing business will emerge as leaders. “We have to be ready. Our students have to be ready. The state has to be ready,” he said, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a front-runner in AI-driven development.

He also linked education to industry needs, revealing plans to collaborate with businesses to establish centers of excellence. “The next generation of thought leaders will come from Andhra Pradesh,” he affirmed.

Reflecting on his political journey, from an Ivy League-educated professional to a grassroots politician, he said, was shaped by his 226-day, 3,000 km padayatra in 2023, which gave him firsthand insights into governance. “Walking through villages and towns gave me an understanding of governance that no classroom ever could,” he remarked, affirming that he now contributes effectively to Naidu’s Cabinet.

Dismissing the perception of political privilege, Lokesh said, “Being Chandrababu Naidu’s son makes things 10 times harder. He sees me every day. The expectations are much higher.” He described the Chief Minister as a taskmaster who expects everyone to operate at his pace.

Lokesh took a firm stance on national political issues, making it clear that Andhra Pradesh would not be dragged into debates driven by electoral considerations in other States. On the issue of delimitation, he stressed that population control should not penalize Southern States, noting that the NDA Government had assured that existing representation ratios would remain intact. “If there’s any issue, we will discuss and resolve it. Our support to NDA is unconditional, and we have a voice at the table,” he said.

On Hindi imposition, Lokesh championed linguistic diversity. “I don’t believe impositions will happen in India. Each state is unique. Telugu should be taught in Northern states too,” he suggested, before humorously adding, “Hyderabad se hoon na, Hindi acchi hai! (I’m from Hyderabad, my Hindi is good).”

He also emphasized the need for global language education, noting job opportunities in Germany and Japan. “We are training our nurses in German and Japanese, ensuring mobility and better employment abroad,” he revealed.

On a more personal note, Lokesh spoke about gender roles and work-life balance, praising his wife, Nara Brahmani, for managing their business and family. “She runs a company with a Rs.4,500 crore market cap. She also manages our household finances and pays my credit card bills.”

To promote gender equality from an early age, Lokesh announced reforms in school textbooks, ensuring that images depict both men and women sharing household responsibilities. “Transformation must start from education,” he emphasized.

As Andhra Pradesh gears up for the AI revolution, Lokesh reiterated that States with quality manpower and a supportive ecosystem will surge ahead.

"We are at the cusp of a new revolution. Andhra Pradesh is at the right point to take that leap," he concluded, signaling the State’s ambitious roadmap for the future.