Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
India

Kejriwal threatens media in Nagpur, retracts after uproar

Darpan News Desk IANS, 14 Mar, 2014 10:34 AM
    Targeting the media again, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal alleged large sections of it were indulging in "paid publicity" favouring BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and threatening to jail them if his party won. He retracted Friday after his comments led to an uproar from media and political parties.
     
    The AAP leader's remarks came at a private Rs.10,000 per plate gala fund-raising dinner at the deluxe Hotel Tuli International late Thursday and a video of the proceedings leaked out early Friday.
     
    "Since past one year, the media has been drumming support for Modi in people's minds. An aura is sought to be created that corruption would end and Ramrajya will come if Modi is elected," Kejriwal said.
     
    "Why such a thing is happening? Because businessmen have paid money to media and television channels to promote Modi," he alleged.
     
    Reiterating his statements in Mumbai two days ago, Kejriwal said that 800 farmers committed suicide in Gujarat in the past decade, but the media never highlighted this.
     
    Naming a private corporate hosue which was allegedly given land at Re.1 an acre, he said no TV channel exposed it, but the very same TV channels go on showing how Kejriwal has taken increased levels of security.
     
    "To hell with my security... But, the media will not reveal the truth about Modi," he said.
     
    Smelling "a big conspiracy," Kejriwal added that this time, "the entire media has sold itself" and if AAP came to power, he would jail corrupt businessmen and the media.
     
    Confronted on his comments Friday morning by an angry media, he initially declined to comment and then virtually retracted: "How can I speak against you (the media)?"
     
    By then, the entire media and all political parties unitedly condemned Kejriwal's remarkswith AAP leaders in New Delhi facing a barrage of uncomfortable questions from media.
     
    This was the second time in a single day during Kejriwal's three-day Maharashtra campaign that the AAP attacked the media for various reasons.
     
    On Thursday, the AAP blamed the media and Mumbai police for the chaos and confusion during Kejriwal's trip to Mumbai the previous day when he travelled by autorickshaw, a suburban train and later addressed a rally in Kannamwar Nagar.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    US indictment against Devyani Khobragade dropped

    US indictment against Devyani Khobragade dropped
    A US federal court has dismissed charges of visa fraud and making false statements against Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, whose arrest and subsequent strip-search in New York escalated into a full diplomatic row last year. 

    US indictment against Devyani Khobragade dropped

    December 16 Gang rape: All Four Convicts To Hang

    December 16 Gang rape: All Four Convicts To Hang
    The victim's teary-eyed parents said they are "happy" but will feel justice is done after the four are hanged, while a defence lawyer termed the verdict "political".

    December 16 Gang rape: All Four Convicts To Hang

    Arvind Kejriwal tears into Congress, BJP at Mumbai rally

    Arvind Kejriwal tears into Congress, BJP at Mumbai rally
    I am warning you... After April, the country will witness unprecedented levels of inflation. Everything, foodgrain, vegetables, fruits, petrol, will become very expensive due to their policies, he said

    Arvind Kejriwal tears into Congress, BJP at Mumbai rally

    Rahul Gandhi booked for defaming RSS

    Rahul Gandhi booked for defaming RSS
    A defamation case was filed against Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for saying at a rally in Maharashtra March 6 that the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) killed Mahatma Gandhi.

    Rahul Gandhi booked for defaming RSS

    AAP gets Rs.15 million in 10 days

    AAP gets Rs.15 million in 10 days
    The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has received nearly Rs.15 million ($246,000) as donations in the first 10 days of March from within the country and outside, party sources said.

    AAP gets Rs.15 million in 10 days

    Maoists ambush security patrol in Chhattisgarh, kill 15

    Maoists ambush security patrol in Chhattisgarh, kill 15
    Fifteen security men and a civilian were killed Tuesday when Maoists sprang a deadly ambush on a patrol in a thickly forested area of Chhattisgarh, a short distance from the spot where 27 people were gunned down last year.

    Maoists ambush security patrol in Chhattisgarh, kill 15