The state government has decided to stop all its advertisements to the Sakshi newspaper and Sakshi TV owned by the YSR Congress chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy in view of the serious allegations he has been facing of money laundering.

The government issued a GO to this effect and directed all governament departments to stop all patronage to the Sakshi group until it clears itself from the charges.

The Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has reportedly discussed the matter with the Advocate General Sudarshan Reddy and Information and Public relations Commissioner Chandravadan a couple of days ago. It is learnt that the Chief Minister has sought the opinion of the two on the propriety of continuing government’s patronage as CBI has filed charge-sheets about flow of illegal funds into the newspaper and TV channel. It is learnt that the three have decided that it would be perfectly legal to stop advertisements, pending finalization of the case. It is being said that Kiran Kumar Reddy is of the view that if the government strikes at the economic base of Jagan’s media before by-polls, it would be advantageous to the Congress party. Several leaders of the Congress party hold a view that Jagan’s popularity largely depended on his media and by forcing a near closure of Sakshi newspaper and TV channel, his influence could be considerably contained. But there are others in the ruling party who hold a different view. They feel that all these acts of persecution would only strengthen Jagan further.