The Aam Aadmi Party on Friday defended its leader Arvind Kejriwal over his controversial comments on sending media personnel to jail, saying he was referring to a section of the media which was running an "agenda" of the Bharatiya Janata Party and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
"Arvind Kejriwal has said that a section of the media was implementing the agenda of Modi and BJP. His comments were directed against them. His comments were against those who distort news and resort to paid news," senior party leader Sanjay Singh told a press conference.
Party spokesperson and former journalist Ashutosh, who was also present at the press conference, pointed out that a recent sting operation conducted by it had shown that some of the agencies which conduct opinion polls before elections are willing to tweak their findings for money.
"No action has been taken against television channels and the opinion poll agencies yet," said Ashutosh, who is contesting from the Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha seat.
Interestingly, there were heated arguments between journalists and party leaders over the issue.
Journalist Ashish Khetan, who is the party's candidate from New Delhi Lok Sabha seat, also attacked the media, saying a section of them was only promoting Modi and deliberately not carrying critical stories against the Gujarat government and its chief minister.
The party also named four channels, which were "targeting" the party and said that it will approach the Election Commission over the issue.
"Some channels have been running a campaign against us. We will take up the issue with the Election Commission and give them relevant proof," Singh said.
Kejriwal kicked off a controversy by alleging that the media has been "sold out" and a "heavy amount" has been paid to promote BJP's prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi.
He later denied having made the accusation against the media after his remarks came under attack from the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Communist Party of India.
Image: Arvind Kejriwal at a press meet ' Photograph: https://www.facebook.com/AAPkaArvind
