AAP in HP defends Delhi govt's circulars to rein in media

Aam Adami Party (AAP) today accused a section of media of launching a smear campaign against its leaders by highlighting "unsubstantiated" facts and insisted that circulars issued by Delhi government to rein in a section of media were needed to protect their reputation.
"We have no problem if the media highlights issues on the basis of facts. We would take action against the guilty party leaders but not allow the media to tarnish the image of our leaders through character assassination and malicious propaganda," senior party leader and co-incharge of party for Himachal Pradesh, Harsh Kalra said.
Facing a volley of questions from media persons, he quoted the case of senior party leader Sanjay Singh, against whom he alleged that malicious propaganda was unleashed on the basis of a sting operation recorded in the pen drive.

And even after repeated denials by Singh, the media continued its tirade and did not substantiate the allegations, he added.
Kalra asked the media to shun sensationalism and refrain from sullying the image of party leaders by highlighting unverified allegations and unsubstantiated facts.
He also accused the media of blowing AAP's internal issues out of proportion and said while the expulsion of AAP leaders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav from the executive council and party was projected as a major event, the reported removal of Union Minister Smriti Irani from BJP Working Committee was a non event for the media.

Kalra said AAP has drawn up a plan to expand and strengthen the party in other states also. To begin with the focus would be on Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, he added.