The video showing Arvind Kejriwal’s shocking and sweeping attack on the media for allegedly hyping up Narendra Modi while airing negative or critical news about AAP, sparked off a furious spat between the party and its political opponents, with BJP and Congress leaders condemning Kejriwal’s comments as reflecting a dictatorial and vengeful mindset.
Though Kejriwal denied the remarks, saying, “I didn’t say that. I didn’t say anything. How can I be upset with you (media)?” His senior party colleagues Dilip Pande, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Ashish Khetan stuck to charging TV and print media with targeting AAP and promoting the BJP.
Kejriwal’s comments and their justification by senior AAP leaders mark a new low in the rapidly deteriorating relationship between the party and the media after an initial phase last year when the new outfit received rave reviews.
AAP has accused the media of playing to corporate and political interests after the initial high ratings began to taper, with opinion polls indicating that the main contest was between Modi and Congress vicepresident Rahul Gandhi.
Interestingly, after his denial, Kejriwal followed up with more of the same, resuming his tirade at a rally in Nagpur on Friday evening, indicating the media bashing was not an isolated event but part of a well-considered strategy. “We did not cow down before Robert Vadra, Mukesh Ambani and Narendra Modi, and we will not do so before the media either,” he said.
Leader of opposition in Delhi Harsh Vardhan accused AAP of duplicitous behavior, saying on the one hand Kejriwal was seen requesting an anchor to play up select portions of his interview and on the other he was alleging media of malpractices.
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