Shiv Sena dismisses PM's interviews as 'propaganda'
Mumbai, Aug 13: In its first reaction to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's published interview, BJP ally Shiv Sena on Monday described it as "akin to sheer propaganda".
"The reporters sent questions to the PMO, which sent written replies. Many have treated it as an an interview. In other words, it is propaganda," the Sena said in 'Saamana' and 'Dopahar Ka Saamana,' the party's mouthpieces.
"It happens in China, Russia and Communist countries, a case of one-sided dialogue," it added.
The Sena pointed out how, in a direct interview, many questions could have been asked and any "fake statement" would have been detected by the interviewer. "That much freedom must be allowed to journalists.
"The incumbent Prime Minister seems to have ended this tradition. He answers what he deems proper and the interviews are published accordingly," the Sena said in a commentary.
It noted that in the interview, the Prime Minister indicated that seven million jobs were created in one year, of which 4.5 million came up between September 2017 and April 2018.
"The implication is that by 2019, double and triple number of jobs will be created, the PM feels," the Sena pointed out.
"If the interview had been conducted face-to-face, the journalist would have got the opportunity to ask supplementaries such as in which sectors these jobs have been created and how to verify (the claims).
"If so many jobs have indeed been created, then why do unemployed youths rampage on the streets for employment and job reservations?" it asked.
It said barely two years ago after demonetization, there were huge job losses, both in the organized and unorganized sectors.
"Mumbai's core job-creating sectors such as construction, production and service industries now resemble a desert," the Sena said.
"In the recent (Maratha) agitation, over 500 factories were attacked in Aurangabad and Pune, thanks to the government's policies," it said.
"In the past four years, the PM did not hold a single press conference, but expressed his mind through (radio program) Mann Ki Baat which the media reported, but it brought no laurels to Modi," Saamna said.
"Before the (2014) elections, Modi was a friend of the media, but after becoming the PM, he has retreated into a cage... If this continues, then many journalists may lose their jobs."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
UP court rejects plea seeking Rahul Gandhi's voice sample in defamation case
Sultanpur (UP) (PTI): A local MP/MLA court on Saturday rejected a plea seeking a voice sample of Rae Bareli MP Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case filed by a BJP functionary against the Congress leader, and posted the matter for next hearing on May 11.
The plea, filed by BJP leader Vijay Mishra through his counsel Santosh Kumar Pandey, had sought Gandhi's voice sample for a forensic test to compare it with an audio clip.
After the petition was dismissed, Pandey said they would file a revision plea before the sessions court against the order.
The court rejected the plea after hearing the arguments of both sides, including Gandhi's counsel Kashi Prasad Shukla.
The matter dates back to 2018 when Mishra, a local BJP leader, filed a defamation suit over Gandhi’s alleged objectionable remarks targeting Amit Shah while campaigning for the Karnataka Assembly elections.
After five years of legal proceedings, the court issued a warrant against Gandhi in December 2023.
The Rae Bareli MP surrendered before the court in February 2024, and was granted bail on two sureties of Rs 25,000 each by a special magistrate.
On July 26 last year, the Congress leader recorded his statement before the court, claiming innocence and calling the case a political conspiracy.
Earlier this year, multiple hearings were postponed due to a strike by lawyers and the ill-health of Gandhi’s counsel.
