Hans News Service Guntur

Formerminister Ambati Rambabu strongly criticised the coalition government for turning social media regulation into a tool of political repression.

He questioned why the DGP attended the Cabinet meeting to discuss controlling social media instead of addressing the collapse of law and order, custodial deaths and police excesses in the State.

Ambati said TDP is using paid artistes to abuse YSRCP leaders, while police refuse to register cases even after complaints are filed against vulgar and offensive posts. At the same time, illegal cases are being filed against YSRCP supporters, with 1,394 people arrested so far.

He said chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu is afraid of social media and is therefore creating a task force to silence criticism.

He asked why the same DGP remained silent when Gade Sai Krishna was brutally killed in lock-up and when Kranthi Kumar died by suicide. He also questioned why the Cabinet did not discuss these serious incidents or the failure to register a case against TDP workers who injured a police constable at Undavalli.

He also questioned why Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan is not attending Cabinet meetings and demanded an explanation from both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.