Andhra Pradesh IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh launched a scathing attack on the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government while laying the foundation stone for Reliance Industries’ Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant in Divakarapuram, Prakasam district, on Wednesday.
The project, part of a ₹65,000 crore initiative to set up 500 CBG plants across the state, is seen as a major step toward clean energy and economic revival under the TDP-led NDA coalition.
Addressing a gathering, Lokesh positioned the biogas plant as a symbol of Andhra Pradesh’s resurgence.
“This is the progress we promised—clean energy, new jobs, and rural development. But before we could build, we had to repair the damage left behind by the YSRCP’s disastrous rule,” he said.
Lokesh accused the previous government of driving away investors like LuLu, Amara Raja, and HSBC while failing to deliver on industrial projects, including a stalled paper mill in Prakasam. He highlighted the current government’s success in attracting investments worth ₹8 lakh crore and creating 5 lakh jobs in just 10 months.
“Under Jagan, industries left. Under Naidu, they are returning. That’s the difference,” he asserted.
Anticipating resistance from political rivals, Lokesh dismissed concerns over the safety of biogas plants as “baseless propaganda” by YSRCP leaders.
“They’re trying to mislead people because they can’t stand to see Andhra Pradesh move forward. These plants are as safe as the gas cylinders in your kitchen,” he assured.
He also warned of strict action against attempts to obstruct development.