Searches in Margadarsi offices not revenge against press: CLP

Hyderabad, Feb 22 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Congress Legislature Party(CLP) today said the searches conducted by CID officials in the Margadarsi offices as per the court directive should not be misconstrued as a revenge against the press.

Addressing a press conference at CLP office here, State Finance Minister K Rosaiah denied the Opposition's charges that the government was suppressing freedom of press, saying it had faith in the media.

He said the state Government reposed faith in the freedom of the press.

He said Telugu Desam Party President N Chandrababu Naidu was trying to divert the attention of the people about the searches on Margadarsi financiers as curb on freedom of the press to gain political mileage.

The Minister said the state government had not conducted any raids on the Eenadu newspaper and the Ramoji films. The government was implementing the Depositors Protection Act 1999 brought out by the Telugu Desam Party Government.

He alleged that the Opposition's intention was to stall the proceedings of the House. As Assembly Speaker K R Suresh Reddy had convened a meeting with all political parties and agreed for a discussion on the issue under Rule Number 304 tomorrow, there was no point in opposition parties creating a problem in the House today.

The state Assembly was adjourned for the day today without transacting any official business as the opposition parties stalled the proceedings over the issues of ''Eenadu'' and reservations for Muslims.

UNI