From 'Fake' to Favored: Nara Lokesh's Silence on Indo-Sol Sparks Questions

Nara Lokesh – Though technically a minister, it's an open secret that he holds a position beyond that within the coalition government. Both in the party and in the government, it's well-known that after Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, it is he who holds the most influence. Why is all this relevant now? Because even a leader with a promising future like Lokesh is drawing criticism for behaving one way while in the opposition and another way after coming to power. The best example of this is the Indo-Sol company issue. While in the opposition, Nara Lokesh described Indo-Sol's investments as fake. He questioned how a company established with a capital of just one lakh rupees could claim to invest ₹72,000 crores. If this isn’t fake, what is? Lokesh, while in opposition, criticized even the MoUs signed during Jagan’s rule as fake, calling Indo-Sol one such example and stating its address was in Pulivendula.

Now, the same coalition government is showering immense affection on the very Indo-Sol company Lokesh once labeled as fake. Why this sudden love for a company he himself criticized? What are the strong reasons behind this shift? Even when farmers of Karedu village—who depend on their fertile lands for multiple crops—are refusing to give up their lands, the government is moving ahead without compromise for Indo-Sol. The government is now ready to allocate 8,234 acres of land to this company, and has already obtained Cabinet approval for it. Another company related to Indo-Sol’s management is Shirdi Sai Electricals. This company received numerous favors during Jagan’s tenure, and they continue to this day. From transformers to various other works, it is being alleged that everything was handed over to this firm. Whenever Jagan’s name is mentioned, Chandrababu and Lokesh used to raise a hue and cry. But now, they are ensuring that not even a fly disturbs this group of companies, and are even seen to be offering massive benefits to them — much to the surprise of TDP leaders and cadre.

As Lokesh himself once said, if signing MoUs with fake companies during Jagan’s rule was wrong, then how is the coalition government now awarding thousands of crores worth of power and other sector projects to such newly-emerged companies?. It is well known how controversial the land allotment in Vizag to Ursa Clusters under Lokesh’s own IT ministry has been. Despite massive protests by farmers over the land acquisition in Karedu, there has been no response from top government officials — which is a major concern. Another strange aspect here is that it was Jagan Mohan Reddy, and the YSRCP government, that first brought Indo-Sol to the forefront. Yet, they too are silent now. This has led to criticism that, while both sides pretend to be politically opposed, behind the scenes both the coalition and YSRCP are working together on the Indo-Sol issue. Otherwise, why would Nara Lokesh, who once called Indo-Sol a fake company, remain silent now? Doesn't that say it all?.