A remark made by IT Minister Nara Lokesh during his visit to King George Hospital (KGH) here on Tuesday sparked a political controversy, with Opposition parties and trade union leaders criticising his comments as insensitive.The incident occurred when Mr. Lokesh was interacting with family members of workers who lost their lives in the recent accident at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP). As he was consoling the bereaved families at the hospital, a group of VSP trade union leaders, along with representatives of the CPI, CPI(M) and CITU, approached him and raised concerns over the accident. They alleged that government negligence, administrative apathy and inadequate efforts to safeguard the steel plant from privatisation had contributed to the tragedy.According to those present, Mr. Lokesh initially sought to pacify the leaders and assured them that he would address their concerns. However, as the exchange became increasingly heated, he remarked in Telugu: “Mi intlo evaru chanipoledu, nenu chanipoyina vaalla kutumbalatho maatladutunna” (No one in your family has died; I am speaking with the families of those who have lost their loved ones).Videos of the exchange quickly circulated on social media, triggering a political row. Leaders of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) accused Mr. Lokesh of making insensitive remarks and alleged that he had insulted trade unions, Left parties and workers associated with the steel plant.Defending the Minister, TDP leaders argued that Mr. Lokesh was focused on consoling grieving family members at a difficult moment and that the union leaders had interrupted the interaction by raising political demands and pressing for immediate announcements on compensation and other issues.Later, Mr. Lokesh reiterated that the NDA government was committed to protecting the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and addressing the concerns of its workers. Published - June 09, 2026 08:39 pm IST