'Don't Dismiss Grievances': Andhra Minister Raps DKS Over CEO's Potholes Post

Telugu Desam Party leader and Andhra Pradesh HRD Minister Nara Lokesh (File).

New Delhi:

A Bengaluru CEO's complaint about potholes and traffic congestion in the city has sparked a political dispute between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh governments, with the latter inviting BlackBuck co-founder Rajesh Yabaji to consider Vizag as an alternative location.

On Thursday evening, Andhra Human Resources Minister Nara Lokesh escalated his relocation invitation with a pointed response to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's 'can't blackmail governments' remark, advising the Congress leader against dismissing citizens' concerns.

"What distinguishes Andhra Pradesh from others is our approach - we don't categorize our citizens' legitimate concerns as 'blackmail.' We address them with appropriate respect and attention they merit."

Nara Lokesh's statement came after Mr Shivakumar told NDTV, "... he (Mr Yabaji) cannot threaten the government. Blackmailing a government won't work. We are committed to serving the state's residents. Note this clearly, nobody will abandon Bengaluru."

Hi Rajesh, can I interest you in relocating your company to Vizag? We are rated among top 5 cleanest cities in India, are building best-in-class infra, and have been rated the safest city for women. Please send me a DM. https://t.co/HLfP2CVTys

— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) September 17, 2025

In a brief interview with NDTV - while traveling through the city's pothole-damaged streets - the Deputy Chief Minister acknowledged that Bengaluru's infrastructure requires improvement.

READ | "Can't Blackmail Government": DKS On CEO's Bengaluru Roads Post

Mr Shivakumar, commonly known as DKS, stated, "Bengaluru has expanded significantly... necessitating additional development. To address these requirements, we established five corporations."

He further explained that many IT parks in the city widely recognized as 'India's Silicon Valley', an IT industry center, remain under panchayat jurisdiction, complicating infrastructure maintenance. The plan, he indicated, is to incorporate them under the newly-formed Greater Bengaluru Authority to facilitate faster allocation of infrastructure development funds.

Previously, prominent business leaders in India had expressed worries about Bengaluru's road conditions.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, executive chairperson of Biocon, called for "emergency measures" to tackle these issues, while Mohandas Pai, chairman of Aarin Capital and Manipal Global Education, described the situation as a "big, big failure of governance".

In an X post, Mr Yabaji joined these criticisms, revealing that he had established his company in Bellandur area, on the Outer Ring Road, "but it's now very-very hard to continue here. We have decided to move out."

He highlighted the lengthy commute - exceeding 90 minutes (one-way) for some employees and "roads full of potholes and dust, coupled with the lowest intent to get them rectified".

This post prompted Nara Lokesh to extend an invitation, suggesting Vizag as a potential location.

READ | Andhra Minister Makes Offer To CEO Over Bengaluru Potholes

"Hi Rajesh, can I interest you in relocating your company to Vizag? We are rated among top 5 cleanest cities in India, are building best-in-class infra, and have been rated the safest city for women. Please send me a DM," the Andhra minister posted on X.

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