Margadarsi issue: Oppn alleges vendetta; Cong denies

Hyderabad, Dec 22 (UNI) Even as the main opposition TDP termed the Andhra Pradesh government's action against the Margadarsi Financiers, run by a media baron, as smacking ''revenge,'' the ruling Congress maintained that freedom of press should not be used as a shield to cover up the alleged illegal act of the firm.

Addressing a press conference here, TDP Legislature party Deputy leader N Janardhana Reddy cautioned the ruling Congress that it would be wiped out if it exhibited ''dangerous intolerance'' towards the Press.

The Rajasekhara Reddy Government should give up its alleged ''vindictive'' attitude and ''allow the press to function freely.'' ''It is the very same press which highlighted your long march and your promising moon to the public and helped you wrest power,'' the TDP leader reminded the Chief Minister.

On the other hand, senior Congress leader V Arunkumar, MP, who brought the alleged violation by the firm into limelight, told reporters here that he was not opposing several other commercial ventures run by the media baron, but only taking objection to the firm collecting money allegedly in violation of the Reserve Bank of India norms after the same was brought to his notice.

Lamenting that a Chennai-headquartered popular English Daily had portrayed the action being taken by the State Government against the firm as an attack on the press freedom, Mr Arunkumar said ''I am ready for an open debate on the issue with the Editor of the Daily.

I am even ready to go even to Chennai for the purpose,'' he added.

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