The Karnataka Congress on Tuesday lashed out at critics and opposition leaders over claims that the state “lost” Google’s $15 billion data centre project to Andhra Pradesh. In a fiery post on X, the ruling party dismissed the criticism as “noise” and said Karnataka continues to attract global investors because of its talent and innovation, not by offering “inducements.”

Google has announced a $15 billion investment over the next five years to set up an artificial intelligence (AI) data centre in Andhra Pradesh. This is one of the tech giant’s biggest commitments yet in India. Google partnered with Adani Group and Airtel to build the infrastructure, which also includes a new international subsea gateway in Visakhapatnam.

Congress defends Karnataka after Google’s move to Andhra Pradesh

“To all the self-proclaimed experts, WhatsApp graduates, and noise-makers who bark before they think, here are some facts you can’t spin,” the post read, targeting those blaming the Congress government behind the tech giant’s decision to set up its data centre in Visakhapatnam.

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The party claimed that the project was “lured away,” not lost, alleging that Andhra Pradesh offered hefty incentives to secure the deal. The post “unsustainable offers” made to Google, including “15 years of free power, 10 years of water at 25% cost, 480 acres of land at throwaway rates, and 100% SGST reimbursement worth ₹2,245 crore.”

Slamming it as a “model of inducement,” Congress said Karnataka would never match such offers because the cost to the state and its people would be “too high.” “We don’t beg, plead or even coerce investment; we attract it because we are India’s No.1 state in FDI. We are the Tech Capital of India,” the post added.

The party also said Karnataka’s growth model is because of its “talent, innovation, and integrity,” and that the state continues to remain a major hub for global companies.

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Opposition leaders blame Congress for ‘missed opportunity’

The statement came after opposition leaders in Karnataka accused the ruling Congress government of driving investors away. Former minister and BJP MP Dr K Sudhakar, in a post on X, said, “Karnataka’s loss is Andhra’s gain! Bengaluru and Karnataka, once the preferred destination for global tech giants, are losing ground due to the apathy, arrogance, and policy paralysis of the Congress government.”

Deputy Leader of Opposition Arvind Bellad alleged that “Bengaluru, once the Silicon Capital, is now losing investors due to arrogance and policy paralysis.”

The JD(S) also called the development a “major blow,” saying the loss of the Google AI hub to Andhra Pradesh was a result of “negligence and poor infrastructure.”

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar downplayed the criticism, saying, “You can’t match Karnataka and Bengaluru. From infrastructure and human resources to innovation and startups, Bengaluru has it all.”