REPORTERS’ DIARY: TG I&PR Minister’s office: Public relations or selective relations?  

Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, who holds the Revenue and Housing portfolios alongside Information and Public Relations (I&PR), seems to be facing a PR crisis of his own. Despite his reputation for dropping political bombshells during press interactions, his frequent chitchats in the Secretariat have turned into a source of frustration for many scribes.   The problem? Selective invitations. The latest instance on January 7 saw only a chosen few being invited by the minister’s public relations officers (PROs). This isn’t a one-off; reporters have noted a recurring pattern of exclusion, with several being left in the dark. “This isn’t just unfair—it’s making us look bad in our offices,” said a disgruntled journalist.  Interestingly, while other ministers might not draw the same level of anticipation, Ponguleti’s sessions are highly sought after, given his knack for making politically charged statements. However, the selective approach by his staff has reporters questioning whether the I&PR Minister’s PROs are equipped for their roles.   For someone leading the very department responsible for public relations, this mismanagement is ironic, to say the least.