Flight ticket is mine! Match ticket is mine!

metro india news  I AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh on Wednesday launched a sharp political counterattack against the opposition after allegations surfaced on social media claiming that he used government funds for his recent visit to Colombo to watch the India-Pakistan cricket match.

The controversy erupted after images and reports of Lokesh attending the high-profile cricket encounter in Sri Lanka went viral online, prompting criticism from opposition supporters and sections of pro-YSRCP social media platforms. The posts alleged that the minister’s foreign travel had been financed using public money, a charge Lokesh categorically denied.

Responding strongly, the minister dismissed the allegations as politically motivated propaganda and clarified that the entire trip was funded from his personal resources. Taking to social media platform ‘X’, Lokesh issued a sarcastic and pointed rebuttal, adopting a popular cinematic tone reminiscent of a dialogue style from the film Pushpa.

“Flight ticket is mine! Match ticket is mine! I watched the match with my own money. Did I spend even a rupee of your money, Jagan?” Lokesh wrote, directly targeting former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Lokesh accused YSRCP leaders and affiliated media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to tarnish his image. He asserted that there was “no truth whatsoever” in claims that government funds were used for his foreign travel and said the allegations reflected the opposition’s attempt to create controversy over personal activities.

The minister’s remarks quickly escalated the political exchange between the ruling coalition and the opposition, with leaders from both sides trading accusations across social media platforms. Supporters of the ruling alliance amplified Lokesh’s clarification, while opposition voices continued to question the optics of a minister attending an international sporting event amid ongoing political debates in the state.

While the opposition has yet to formally respond to Lokesh’s latest remarks, the exchange has added another layer to the ongoing political rivalry between the ruling coalition and the YSRCP, underscoring how even personal visits by political leaders are becoming flashpoints in Andhra Pradesh’s charged political landscape.