In a move of bipartisanship, Telangana IT Minister KT Rama Rao praised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and said that the TDP chief had played a key role in attracting investments to Hyderabad.
"I can't take undue credit for Microsoft being here (in Hyderabad). In fact, all credit goes to Chandrababu Naidu garu. He definitely has done his best. In fact, when Hyderabad was not as well-known as it is today in Information Technology space, he went out all the way to Bill Gates, convinced him and eventually the development centre (of Microsoft) happened about 17 years ago. So, all credit to him (Naidu) for that," KTR was quoted as saying.
The Minister was addressing techies while speaking at a Tech Mahindra’s programme at Hitex in Hyderabad's Madhapur area on Thursday.
“IT giants Google, Microsoft, Apple and others came to Hyderabad in the last 17 years. Due to good administration in the state, the information technology sector has been witnessing much growth. The city has more infrastructural facilities than in Bengaluru, Chennai and Gurgaon as far as IT is concerned,” KTR added.
Last month, Addressing the valedictory of the three-day AP AgTech Summit 2017, the Co-Chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation recalled his meeting with Naidu who was then Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh.
"I was told that there is someone who believes in digital technology even more than you do. It was hard to believe but when we met, he had his digital equipment -- computer -- and he had the vision to make government better by using advanced tools," said Gates.
"It's been a real journey over these 20 years, making that vision a reality. I expect it to accelerate and in the years ahead will move very quickly," Gates added.
Earlier during the same event, Naidu in his speech revealed how he managed to get an appointment with Gates for 10 minutes but the latter spent 40 minutes with him. "I made a presentation through laptop and I was the first Indian politician to do so," the Chief Minister claimed.
"Not only Microsoft opened its development centre in Hyderabad but Satya Nadella who is from our place became Microsoft CEO," Naidu said.
IANS inputs