K Chandrasekhar Rao blocks access to media in his assembly chambers
Only select pass holders are allowed entry into the lobby or gallery
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has blocked access to himself to the media and other leaders in Assembly.
Unlike in the past when mediapersons or any leader with a valid pass could walk up to the CM’s chamber to interact with him when he entered or left the chambers, the access has been denied now.
While no one knows what provoked the move, mediapersons are shocked by the closed doors barring ministers, legislators and invited officials.
A partition has been erected at the entrance to the CM’s chambers and the lobby opposite it and a posse of security men have been posted leaving no scope for interaction with the CM.
“We don’t know why, but entry of media to CM;s chambers has been barred, except if invited. The security might also be due to protests in front of the CM’s chambers by Opposition legislators,” a senior official told this newspaper.
If an official is to be believed, the CM was reportedly irked by mediapersons hanging around and shooting questions as he entered or left the Assembly.
While a small media lounge was given for reporters to watch proceedings, the canteen has shrunk drastically and even chairs have been reduced.
Entry to the Assembly itself has been restricted and only select pass holders are allowed entry into the lobby or gallery.
Media point is the only the place which witnesses activity with both ruling and opposition legislators holding impromptu press conferences. But the buzz of activity witnessed earlier is clearly missing.
Due to misuse of entry passes for T-protests in the past, the Legislature Secretariat has barred entry to visitors.
Except for reporters with valid lobby passes, others including photographers and TV crew have been barred inside the lobbies.
One TV reporter questioned Finance Minister Etala Rajender on barring entry to her crew for his press conference after the presentation of budget. Though he promised to consider her request after the session was over, no action was taken.