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Kejriwal threatens to send 'media people' to jail, backtracks later

Alleges that 'heavy amounts' have been paid to promote BJP's prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi

Press Trust of India New Delhi
Kicking off a fresh controversy, Arvind Kejriwal has alleged that the whole media is "sold" and "heavy amounts" have been paid to promote BJP's prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi.
 
But the AAP leader later denied having made the accusations against the media after his remarks came under attack from Congress, BJP and CPI.

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"Since the last one year, we have been told that Modi is here, Modi is there. Since one year, Modi has also been saying that. Even some TV channels have been saying that 'Ram Rajya' has come and corruption has vanished....
 
 
"Why did they do it? Because money has been paid to TV channels. Heavy amounts have been paid to promote Modi," Kejriwal alleged in a video aired by a TV channel.

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"Around 800 farmers have committed suicide in Gujarat in the past 10 years, but none of the channels showed it," he alleged and added that farmers have sold their land to a company for just "one rupee but even this has not been shown by any channel."
 
Hitting out at the media for focusing on his security deployment, he charged that the "whole media is sold this time, it is a big conspiracy, it is a huge political controversy. If our government comes to power then we will set up an inquiry into this. And along with the media people, all will be sent to jail".
 
However, as the video went viral stoking a controversy, the AAP leader denied making the remarks."I didn't say that. I didn't say anything. How can I be upset with you (media)," he said.

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First Published: Mar 14 2014 | 12:00 PM IST

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