Nara Lokesh growth engine for future of AP, says Pallla Srinivas

Visakhapatnam: Reiterating the Telugu Desam Party's commitment to decentralised industrial development and youth-centric growth, TDP State president Palla Srinivasa Rao on Thursday described Minister Nara Lokesh as a leader who has emerged as a 'growth engine' not only for the party but for the future of Andhra Pradesh.
Addressing a media conference at the TDP central office, Srinivasa Rao extended birthday greetings to Lokesh.
He said Lokesh represented a new generation of leadership marked by clarity of vision, tireless work ethic, and the ability to align governance with economic transformation.
He said Lokesh has remained continuously engaged with the public while simultaneously working to attract investments to the State. Nearly a quarter of the investments flowing into the country are being channelled to Andhra Pradesh, a development Srinivasa Rao attributed to the confidence reposed by industrialists in Lokesh's leadership.
Stressing that development should not be confined to a single region, he said the government had consciously adopted a decentralised model of growth. Rayalaseema is being positioned as a hub for drones, aerospace and green energy, while Amaravati is being developed not only as the State capital but as a futuristic 'Quantum Valley'. Visakhapatnam, with the establishment of data centres and the entry of major IT firms such as Cognizant and TCS, is steadily emerging as a technology hub. The overarching objective, he said, is to facilitate the creation of nearly 2.6 million jobs across the State.
He further noted that Lokesh's efforts had significantly enhanced Andhra Pradesh's brand image on the global stage. Through extensive outreach in countries such as the United States, Australia and Canada, he has engaged directly with multinational corporations, resulting in concrete investment commitments. Amaravati, he said, is being envisioned as a centre that will not only generate employment but also nurture advanced technologies and high-end skills for future generations.
Srinivasa Rao said the present government had moved a step ahead by emphasising the 'Speed of Doing Business'. The introduction of escrow accounts to ensure prompt disbursal of incentives has strengthened investor confidence.
Criticising the previous YSR Congress government, Srinivasa Rao alleged that investors were harassed for commissions, leading to the exit of several international firms and causing damage to the State's credibility.
He said the alliance in the State would remain strong for at least the next 15 years, with the goal of transforming the State into a 'Golden Andhra Pradesh'.
He criticised YSRC leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for not attending the Assembly, urging him to respect the people's mandate. Recalling that Chandrababu Naidu had actively participated in the House even when the TDP was reduced to 23 seats, Srinivasa Rao said staying away from the Assembly despite being elected was an affront to democratic norms.
He added that drawing salaries without attending the Assembly raised serious ethical questions and expressed hope that the Speaker would take an appropriate decision, including the option of recall if necessary.