Thu Oct 02 08:42:17 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:

**Summary:**

A public dispute erupted on X (formerly Twitter) between the IT Ministers of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Priyank Kharge and Nara Lokesh, respectively, reigniting the ongoing economic competition between the two states. Kharge initiated the exchange with a direct attack on Lokesh.

**News Article:**

**Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh Trade Barbs on X as Economic Rivalry Intensifies**

**BANGALORE/HYDERABAD –** The already heated competition between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for economic dominance took a personal turn on Thursday as the states’ respective IT ministers engaged in a sharp exchange on X (formerly Twitter).

Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge launched the broadside, directly targeting his Andhra Pradesh counterpart, Nara Lokesh, in a post. While the specific content of Kharge’s initial attack wasn’t immediately clear, the move signals a new level of intensity in the ongoing rivalry between the two southern Indian states.

Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have been vying for investment and talent in key sectors like information technology, manufacturing, and biotechnology for years. This latest incident highlights the high stakes and the increasingly public nature of their competition.

Neither minister has released an official statement elaborating on the online spat. Observers are closely watching to see if the digital duel will escalate further or if it will remain contained to the realm of social media. The exchange reflects underlying pressures and tensions as both states aggressively pursue economic growth and development.

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