The YSR Congress party government in Andhra Pradesh led by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is understood to have serious note of the “fake news” allegedly planted by international news agency Reuters on the shifting of Kia Motors plant from Anantapur to Tamil Nadu.
Within hours of the report appearing in various media, the government reacted quickly and ensured that it is refuted from all sources: special chief secretary Rajat Bhargava issued a statement, Tamil Nadu government gave a clarification, Kia Motors spokesperson sent a rejoinder and a number of ministers and YSRC leaders held press conferences to condemn the reports.
Not satisfied with the same, the Jagan government got an official statement from Kia Motors on Friday stating that the company was receiving full support from the government of Andhra Pradesh “under the dynamic leadership of Shri Jagan Mohan Reddy.”
“We will continue to offer world class, made-in-Anantpur vehicles and innovative mobility experience to our valuable customers in India. Request consumers to refrain from reports which do not cover these facts,” the statement said.
However, the chief minister is not happy. He reportedly asked the ministers and authorities to find out the source of information to Reuters news agency.
The YSRC leaders strongly suspect that it must be the handiwork of the TDP leaders who are out to malign the Jagan government by spreading the message that it is scaring away industries from the state.
The Jagan government has already brought out an order seeking to file defamation cases against media organisations spreading false news. It might invoke the same order against Reuters news agency.
It might also bring pressure on the reporter who wrote the story to disclose his source of information, so that real culprits could be brought to book, sources said.
