AP Cong govt trying to intimidate and gag media: Venkaiah

Chennai, Dec 26 (UNI) Accusing the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh of attempting to ''intimidate and gag'' the media there, senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu today said the party would take up the 'Margadarsi' chit fund company issue at the national level.

Addressing a press conference here, he said the Rajasekara Reddy Government, prompted by his party, had set up a commission to inquire into the affairs of 'Margadarsi Financiers', run by the 'Eenadu' Telugu newspaper Group, even without any complaint from depositors.

''The idea is to create panic among the depositors so that they will seek return of their money. I want to caution the public about the evil designs of the state Government,'' he said.

Mr Naidu said the Congress had given a call to boycott the 'Eenadu' daily and had also burnt an effigy of Group Chairman Ramoji Rao.

The Congress also went to the extent of criticising 'The Hindu' English daily for writing an editorial on the issue, he said.

Stating that it was nothing but political vendetta aimed at gagging the press, the BJP leader said his party would discuss the ''evil design'' of the Andhra Pradesh Government at the national level.

He said the BJP also had differences of opinion with 'Eenadu.'' ''The daily's editorials are very critical of the BJP, but that is a different matter. We respect the freedom of Press and we also always agree to disagree,'' he added.

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