YSRCP leader Amarnath accuses Lokesh of resorting to personal attacks

YSRCP leader Gudivada Amarnath accused HRD Minister Nara Lokesh of resorting to personal attacks against him for raising ‘genuine concerns’ about the Google Data Centre project proposed in Visakhapatnam.

“I am only voicing the questions coming from the people, but Mr. Lokesh, instead of responding with facts, is mocking me. If I start countering, he will not be able to handle it,” Mr. Amarnath told the media at the YSRCP office in Visakhapatnam on Friday (October 17, 2025).

The YSRCP leader questioned the government’s decision to offer concessions worth ₹22,000 crore to Google for setting up the data centre, without explaining the concrete benefits Visakhapatnam would reap.

“People have a lot of doubts about the employment creation and revenue generation by the data centre project. The government should be transparent in this regard. At least, Google should issue a formal statement to clarify the youth about the employment prospects of the project,” he said.

The YSRCP leader claimed that the groundwork for the Google Data Centre project was done during the YSRCP’s tenure. “The then YSRCP government even convinced Adani Group to establish not only a data centre but also an IT park,” he said.

The YSRCP Anakapalli district president clarified that the YSRCP was not against the project, but it is against the ‘misleading publicity’.

Mr. Amarnath demanded that the government must explain how it would provide infrastructure to the data centre. “Visakhapatnam’s total power demand per hour is almost equal to what the data centre alone will need,” he said.

The YSRCP leader also expressed concern over the water usage by the proposed project. “Visakhapatnam city needs around 5 tmc ft of water per year, while the data centre will need about 2.5 tmc ft to 3 tmc ft annually. How will the government manage, especially during the summer?, he asked, adding that as per experts, the data centre could raise the local temperatures by 1 degree Celsius to 2 degrees Celsius.

Chalo Rajayyapeta on October 22

The former Minister announced that the YSRCP would organise a ‘Chalo Rajayyapeta’ programme to highlight the pleas of the fishermen protesting against the Bulk Drug Park proposed in the Payakaraopeta Assembly constituency of Anakapalli district.