Vizag Gas Leak: Jagan's adviser embarrasses government

Senior journalist Amar Devulapalli, who was last year appointed as adviser, National Media and Inter-State Affairs to the Government of Andhra Pradesh, has embarrassed the Jaganmohan Reddy government over his refusal to give answers on the Vizag Gas Leak tragedy in an interview to a national TV channel.

When Navika Kumar of Times Now asked him during a prime-time TV debate as to when a preliminary report on the tragedy can be expected, Amar Devulapalli said, How can I give an answer to your question sitting in Hyderabad?

When the journalist asked him why is he an adviser if he doesn't want to answer the question, Amar shot back saying, I am here to advise the government, not to give answers to you.

This happened on a day when more than 10 people were killed by the Styrene leak tragedy and hundreds were being treated in hospitals. The way he spoke on national TV was totally bad optics. If Amar Devulapalli didn't want to answer questions because he is not in the know in Hyderabad, why did he appear on the show? Many on social media are advising Jagan to manage the optics at least in tragic times.