Ignore Trolls: Nara Lokesh Defends TN Minister Keerthana
TN Minister Keerthana found an unlikely defender in her neighbouring counterpart - Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh.
Chennai/Amaravati: Tamil Nadu Industries Minister S Keerthana, who faced severe online trolling over a video promoting the state as an industrial hub while dressed in a purple suit, found an unlikely defender in her neighbouring counterpart -Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh.
Keerthana’s video post pitched Tamil Nadu as India’s next investment and innovation powerhouse, citing single-window clearances, AI-driven infrastructure, green hydrogen projects, advanced manufacturing, and the state’s growing space economy. She credited Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for driving the state’s investment push.
The video quickly drew jabs from trolls from the opposition parties and netizens targeting both her messaging and appearance.
Responding, Lokesh praised Keerthana’s proactive outreach to investors and said every Industries Minister must now “actively market their state, engage directly with investors, and build confidence among businesses capable of generating employment.” He also echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for states to become more competitive and growth-oriented to accelerate India’s economy.
Adding a light political jab, Lokesh said Andhra Pradesh would offer Tamil Nadu “healthy competition” in the race for investments.
But his most viral line, “Ignore the noise. Trolls don’t create jobs. Investments do,” was aimed at Keerthana’s critics while subtly defending the first female Industries Minister of Tamil Nadu.
At 29 years old, she holds the portfolios for Industries, Investment Promotion, and Commerce.Keerthana is also the youngest minister in the Vijay-led Tamil Nadu Cabinet and the first woman and youngest contestant to win from the Sivaganga constituency.
Chief Minister Vijay has shifted the optics of how a CM looks, often seen in black suits in complete contrast to the white veshti-clad image of his Dravidian predecessors. The move is part of a larger effort to project a younger, educated leadership team in Tamil Nadu politics.
The Minister on Thursday responded and thanked Nara Lokesh for his support and said that she would continue to work hard and do everything to create opportunities for the people of Tamil Nadu, especially the youth whom she represents.