Hyderabad: The Public Relations (PR) bug seems to have bitten ruling and Opposition party politicians in the state. Nearly a year after elections, politicians are hiring PROs to issue press releases and photographs of events to ensure a better coverage and avoid “distortions.”.
While Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao having his own official PROs, minister for IT, K.T. Rama Rao, irrigation minister T. Harish Rao, industries minister Jupally Krishna Rao, home minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy, transport minister P. Mahender Reddy, TRS MP Kavita, TRS Floor leader in Lok Sabha A.P. Jitender Reddy and others have hired their own PROs.
Earlier, all press releases of ministers were handled by information and public relations department. This has been discontinued.
Since press meets are not frequent, both ruling and Opposition leader dish out press releases. Unlike during TS-movement when Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao used to frequently interact with the media, such interactions have become rare except occasionally during Cabinet meets.
In fact, he has kept media at bay after formation of the State. CM Ts CPRO office dishes out press notes, mostly in Telugu, after review meetings chaired by CM and when asked to issue statements.
Opposition leaders do not lag behind. One leader who stands out is Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Mohd Ali Sabbir.
Ever since Shabbir hired a PRO, his statements have become too frequent on all issues, especially targeting Chief Minister and TRS Government.
TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy, Ex MP Dr Mallu Ravi, Bhatti Vikramarka and others too have PROs. Appointed PRO so that Government programmes and policies and
department issues are properly covered, said Jupally Krishna Rao.
M J Srikant, who runs Strategic PR, Media Advocacy and Strategic consulting firm in Bangalore and Hyderabad, says several politicians in Karnataka, A P and Telangana prefer PR agencies during elections and subsequently to get better coverage in media.
Politicians or for that matter anyone including corporate want positive coverage in media. In today Ts hectic schedule, media persons done have much time.
We send press releases and put on to the leader if they have any questions. This avoids wastage of time, says Srikant.
Solus Ramchander of Solus Media, a PR agency in Hyderabad handled over 20 politicians of ruling and opposition parties pre and post elections.
In one case, he even took up a campaign to get MLA ticket for a TD candidate in Rayalaseema, but he could due to caste equation! handled PR for over 20 politicians of both ruling and opposition parties in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Most of it is during elections.
After elections, many tend to forget PR agencies. However, there are some who still seek our advice and help on important occasions and for image building. We also conduct classes for public speaking for which there is huge demand.
