The Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday served legal notices on two major Telugu dailies – Eenadu and Andhra Jyothy, which are known for their pro-Telugu Desam Party stand.
Reason: both the dailies have carried the statements of TDP president and former chief minster N Chandrababu Naidu, who made allegations of irregularities in the civil supplies department and mining department a few days ago.
The notices were served on Eenadu founder Ramoji Rao and editor for Andhra edition M Nageshwar Rao, besides Andhra Jyothy MD Vemuri Radhakrishna and editor K Srinivas.
First notice was given by civil supplies commissioner Kona Sasidhar on behalf of the government for publishing Naidu’s allegations that the contract for making and supply of carry bags for fine rice was awarded to a firm which belonged to Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Second notice was given by principal secretary, mining, Gopala Krishna Dwivedi, for carrying Naidu’s statement alleging that the department had restored mining leases to Jagan’s firm Saraswati Mining Company in violation of rules.
Both the officials warned of criminal action against Ramoji Rao and Radhakrishna and their editors, if they don’t publish on open apology for publishing the false news.
It remains to be seen whether these two media barons tender an apology or face the case in the criminal court.
“They only published Naidu’s statements. If the government has to file cases, they have to do it against Naidu and not the media. As a matter of fact, other newspapers also published the TDP chief statements. Why legal notices to only Ramoji Rao and Radhakrishna?” a journalist asked.