REPORTERS’ DIARY :  When reporters get more than what they bargained for

Under normal circumstances, it is difficult for media persons to get leaders of the ruling party to talk on burning issues and policy matters, given intra-party curbs and insistence on flow of information through a ‘proper channel’. After a 10- year hiatus, since December 2023 to be precise, the Congress Legislature Party office has come alive once again with a dedicated Media Hall, where newly elected MLAs interact with scribes almost every day, reminding scribes of the good old days before bifurcation. Other party leaders as well as defeated MP and MLA candidates have been addressing newsmen at Gandhi Bhavan as usual. Media personnel, having got more than what they bargained for, are having a tough time juggling between the two media centres which invariably bustle with activity. A little bird told us that the party has directed the MLAs and MLCs to counter opposition parties’ criticism pronto. So, not a day passes without party leaders, MLAs, MLCs, or MPs shredding opposition parties’ criticism, particularly when it comes to putting down the previous BRS government as well as former CM and former ministers