“Party will decide the line,” says Avadh Ojha after AAP functionaries halt interview with BBC Hindi
New Delhi: UPSC coach turned politician Avadh Ojha’s interview with BBC News Hindi was abruptly halted on Thursday at the Aam Aadmi party’s office in New Delhi, as reported by Newslaundry.com.
Ojha, known for his decade-long tenure teaching UPSC aspirants in Delhi before transitioning to YouTube coaching, had reportedly been in talks with both the BJP and Congress. However, his decision to join AAP came amid reports that he was denied Lok Sabha tickets by the other parties.
The interview took a sudden turn when BBC reporter Anshul Singh posed a question about Ojha's past public praise for political rivals, including BJP leader and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, as well as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, notably for his Bharat Jodo Yatra. Singh questioned if Ojha would continue to commend such leaders now that he was a part of AAP.
Ojha began responding, emphasizing that appreciating others reflects a positive mindset. He cited cricketer Sachin Tendulkar’s admiration for Brian Lara as an example of healthy respect across competitive boundaries. However, before Ojha could continue his talk, a voice off-camera came in between, saying, “I had told you not to ask any ulta-seedha (odd) question. Stop this.”
The reporter challenged the individual off camera, asserting that his question was neither objectionable nor unusual. Turning to Ojha, Singh asked, “Sir, have I asked any objectionable question?”
Ojha replied, “Bhaiyya (brother) dekho, I will tell you. The party will decide the line. This is what these people will decide,” before removing his lapel microphone.
In the video uploaded by BBC News Hindi, the description revealed that AAP functionaries had intervened and stopped the interview.
In the interview, Ojha revealed that he joined politics to work for education and uplift the education sector.
“I have been in the coaching field for the last 25 years. I have observed the problems faced by students and the education sector, students are unaware about the crucial role education plays in their lives. Hence if you wish to fulfill your objectives, you should be in an ideology, a party and a government,” he said referring to a scene in the movie three idiots, where Chaturlingam, a studious character in the movie is also stressed about education emphasizing his move to join politics.
He highlighted that his primary ideology is to serve the education sector and that if issues surrounding the education sector are corrected then there is no much need to stress about other issues.
When asked why he chose AAP after reportedly seeking tickets from the BJP and Congress and claims of an offer from the BSP, Ojha explained, “When you choose a party, it’s also about respect. AAP reached out to me, showing respect and asking me to work with them for the betterment of education. That’s why I joined them.”
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Family of injured driver in murder of Suvendu's aide seeks exemplary punishment
Kolkata (PTI): The family of Buddhabeb Bera, the driver injured in the shooting that killed BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's close aide Chandranath Rath, demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible and urged the new government to ensure such incidents do not happen in West Bengal.
Rath was shot dead in Madhyamgram near Kolkata on Wednesday night, triggering a political storm in the state. Bera, who was driving the vehicle at the time of the attack, sustained gunshot wounds and is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
Family members said they learned about the incident through television and immediately left for Kolkata.
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"We came to know from TV reports that my nephew had been shot. We still do not know who carried out the attack or why it happened," Buddhabeb's uncle Biswajit Bera said.
"Our only wish now is that he recovers and returns home safely," he added.
Buddhabeb, 25, hails from Majnaberia village in the Chandipur police station area in Purba Medinipur district.
According to family members, he mostly stays in Kolkata for work and visits home occasionally during weekends.
Besides his parents, his younger brother, sister-in-law and several relatives have also travelled to Kolkata following the incident.
Demanding strict action against the perpetrators, the uncle said, "We want the government to conduct a proper investigation and identify those directly involved in the crime. They should be given exemplary punishment so that such incidents do not happen again in West Bengal and no other family has to go through this grief."
A neighbour, Ranjana Ghorai, also sought stringent punishment for those behind the attack.
"In our neighbourhood, we call him Sona. We want exemplary punishment for the people responsible for this incident," she said.
Rath's family members have demanded life imprisonment for the accused, while Adhikari has called for capital punishment for those involved in the killing.
