Shabbir behind the new TV channel?

Having held the Information and Public Relations portfolio for nearly three years, Minister for Energy Mohd Ali Shabbir seems to have tasted the power being a media man.

Reliable sources say Shabbir Ali has made behind the screen investment in a forthcoming television channel, promoted by a realtor and a known racketeer in Jubilee Hills and is extending all possible assistance from the government. The channel has already poached prominent journalists from ETV and even Andhra Jyothi and has been paying them good salaries.

The problem, however, is that the main promoter was once an out and out Telugu Desam supporter and a fan of Naidu, basically because of his caste leanings. Therefore, Shabbir Ali would be confined to investing in the channel and not dictating its policy. Unfortunately, this channel is yet to get all the permissions from the Union government and Shabbir Ali's influence has failed to work with the Delhi bosses.