File photo of former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party or AAP, has contracted a new controversy by allegedly stating that the media has been "bought" with "large amounts" to promote Narendra Modi, who is the BJP's prime ministerial candidate. Mr Kejriwal also reportedly warned that if his party is voted into power, a detailed investigation will result in "media-wallahs being sent to jail."
The comments, which Mr Kejriwal reportedly made at a fund-raising dinner in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on Thursday, were shown as part of a video aired by a national television channel. Today, Mr Kejriwal, under attack from other parties, sought distance from the remarks attributed to him. "How can I be upset with you (media)?" he said to reporters in Maharashtra, where he is campaigning this week.
In the video, whose authenticity cannot be verified by NDTV, Mr Kejriwal says, "The media don't tell the truth about Modi...the entire media is sold, it's a big conspiracy, it's a huge political conspiracy. If we ever form a government, we will get an investigation done and along with the mediawallahs, will send everyone to jail."
The BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad called Mr Kejriwal's comment "regrettable and condemnable" and said, "The fascist face of Mr Kejriwal is evident. If media has the right to promote you, it has the right to criticise you."
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted, "I really don't get AAP & Arvind Kejriwal's criticism of the media. But for the blanket coverage he has received AAP wouldn't exist today."
But senior AAP leaders said Mr Kejriwal had called it like he sees it. "There is nothing wrong in what Arvind has said," said the party's Ashutosh. "Several eminent newspapers have been found guilty of paid news. A part of media is playing into the hands of political parties and other honest channels should come out and speak out against this."