The travails of the Andhra Jyothi-ABN media group just don’t seem to end. The ABN TV channel along with another news channel TV5, has been on the blink since 13 September and now the Jaganmohan Reddy government has cancelled the allotment of 1.5 acres of land to the media house, made by the Chandrababu Naidu regime in Visakhapatnam. 

The cabinet meeting today decided to cancel the allotment and take back the land allotted to Amodha Publications at Paradesi Palem in Vizag. 

“The previous government for the sake of personal and political benefits gave Rs 40 crore worth of government land for Rs 50.05 lakhs,” said Perni Nani, the Information minister of Andhra Pradesh. The government felt that the benefit was given only as a reward for attacking the YSRCP.

Why this is significant is that right from the time he has come to power, Jagan has given the impression of going after the ABN-Andhra Jyothi group. The YSRCP has consistently accused the media house of being pro-TDP and anti-Jagan. Despite TDSAT orders to restore them, the two channels remain off air. The MSOs reportedly with the prodding of the ruling party, felt angry at the pro-TDP coverage during the Chalo Atmakur rally programme on 11 September. 

Also read : Jagan’s newspaper journalists in Jagan’s government

V Radhakrishna, the managing director of Andhra Jyothi has been a known Jagan baiter and used every opportunity to promote Naidu in the run-up to the 2019 elections.

For the record, no construction work has reportedly begun at the site. The land would now be used for construction of houses for the weaker sections.