Hyderabad, Apr 7 (TNT): Leaders and supporters of the YSR Congress Party staged a protest in front of the ABN–Andhra Jyothi office here on Tuesday against a recent “Weekend Comment” article, leading to tension in the area.
The protest was held over the article questioning the stand of YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Amaravati.
Several party leaders, including MLAs and former ministers such as Ambati Rambabu, Kakani Govardhan Reddy, Jogi Ramesh, Adimulapu Suresh and Viswaroop, took part in the protest. Others present included Erragondapalem MLA Tatiparthi Chandrasekhar, MLC Kalpalatha Reddy, former Chief Whip Srikanth Reddy, former MP Bharat and party leader Lella Appi Reddy.
Protesters raised slogans against Andhra Jyothi and its Managing Director Vemuri Radhakrishna. Police intervened when some protesters attempted to enter the office premises and prevented them, averting escalation.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a direct assault on media freedom.
He alleged that the protest was triggered by the media outlet questioning the stand of Jagan Mohan Reddy on Amaravati and criticised the YSRCP for targeting independent media organisations.
Naidu said attempts to intimidate the media through protests and threats have no place in a democratic society and termed such actions outdated.
Leaders of the Telugu Desam Party, including Politburo members Bakkani Narsimhulu and Arvind Kumar Goud, also condemned the protest, stating that targeting a media house under the guise of agitation amounted to an attack on press freedom.
TNT TS
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