Local channels stirred a row in AP after it telecast news of a Russian website claiming RIL chairman's role in death of the former CM

YSR supporters vent anger on Reliance outlets

Local channels stirred a row in AP after it telecast news of a Russian website claiming RIL chairman's role in death of the former CM

A rambling, speculative article on a Russian website that hinted at former Andhra Pradesh (AP) chief minister YSR Reddy's death being a fallout of his Krishna-Godavari gas reserves war with Reliance Industries head honcho Mukesh Ambani was pulled off the site yesterday soon after all hell broke loose in the state with YSR's supporters taking to the streets inu00a0 and destroying anything 'Reliance' in sight.

Sources in Hyderabad said that around 7 pm yesterday, local news channels -- TV5 and INEWS -- aired the story of YSR's helicopter crash death as speculated on the Russian website.u00a0

In no time, the late CM's followers went on a rampage and vented their anger onu00a0 Reliance outlets. Reliance properties across Hyderabad, Vishakapatnam, Karimnagar and other places were being targeted, according to reports reaching Bangalore.

Article yanked out

Some time in the evening, theu00a0 article was yanked out from the Russian website even as the violence escalated, as YSR followers interpreted the TV5 and INEWS reports to mean that their hero's September 2 death was not an accident, but in fact the result of a plan hatched by Reliance Industries.

Reports baseless

Sources in the Mukesh camp expressed shock and dismay at the "fabricated" report.

A Reliance spokesperson said the news was baseless and influenced. The state government also issued a clarification that the report was baseless, but remained helpless in controlling the rampaging mobs.

Mukesh Ambani has natural gas interests in the Krishna-Godavari basin. Reliance Industries Limited began production at KG-D6 block of the Krishna Godavari basin on September 17, 2008. The estimated reserves at this find are about 140 million barrels. The KG-D6 Block is located in the Bay of Bengal 50 km off the Kakinada coast.

The Russian website article had said the death was conspiracy because YSR had demanded a share of the natural gas reserves for Andhra Pradesh even as Mukesh fought his brother Anil Ambani, who split the family business some years ago to branch out on his own, over the supply and price of the prized fuel find.

Bloggers in overdrive

After the news broke out, like those on the streets, bloggers also too went into overdrive. Bansilal, a blogger on the site cheeranjeeviblog.com, commenting on the topic 'YSR was killed by Reliance Group -- Mukesh Ambani', wrote that the reserves in the Godavari basin were the main reason why Reddy died.

The blogger went on to write that when Reddy asked for a "Rs 5,000 crore bribe" before the elections, Mukesh was only ready to pay him Rs 200 crore.

The blog said the matter was taken to Sonia Gandhi, who reprimanded Reddy and warned him to stay clear of Ambani's mafia network.

The writer also says thatu00a0 Gandhi was furious with Reddy for making a lot of money in AP, but not giving enough to the Congress party treasury.

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