Andhra Pradesh IT Minister and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s son Nara Lokesh is perceived as the future of the biggest regional party ‘Telugu Desam’ by its rank and file. Ever since the NDA government took charge of the state in June this year, Lokesh has been trying his best to live up this reputation with his decisions.
Following the footsteps of his father who is regarded as the pioneer of technology in the country, Lokesh embarked on a week-long US trip in pursuit of global investments and hard sell Andhra’s brand image. During his ambitious trip to the United States of America which started on October 25th, Nara Lokesh visited the headquarters of several tech giants and also spent valuable time in automobile behemoth Tesla.
In the last one week, Lokesh stumbled upon leading corporates from Microsoft, Adobe, Apple, Tesla, Ross Perot group, etc. to discuss their plans for investment in Andhra Pradesh. He took part in a couple of summits and briefed the innovative policies that are being implemented in the state.
Asserting that Andhra Pradesh is set to witness rapid development through Artificial Intelligence (AI), HRD (Human Resource Development), Nara Lokesh highlighted the investment opportunities and investor-friendly policies initiated in the State.
Lokesh concluded the week-long trip on a high and set for return journey. Unlike his previous visits to USA, there is considerable media coverage and publicity to this trip of Lokesh given the fact that there is no such activity in last five years under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and there are so much expectations on the current dispensation to increase the brand image of the state.
What is the outcome of this much-hyped trip ? Is it a big success or just a show-off strategy to project Lokesh as the successor of Chandrababu Naidu.
While his political opponents might question what concrete assurances and MoUs has Lokesh secured during this trip besides making those tall claims, general public would hope that the ambitious promises turn into a reality and atleast a few of these companies established their centres in Andhra Pradesh in the next few years to create great employment opportunities and boost the state’s popularity.
Prior to this trip, many have raised doubts on the timing of the decision to visit USA just before the presidential elections. However, Lokesh pulled off a coup with his intense lobbying and managed to get red-carpet welcome from several high-profile companies with some promising assurances.
Though it is too early to predict the outcome of Lokesh’s maiden foreign trip as a representative of the government rather than a key functionary of a political party, the public of Andhra Pradesh will keep eye on how the state benefitted from his visit. While the political detractors might target Lokesh and his party, the people will hope that atleast a few of the top MNCs come forward to invest in the state.