On cam, BJP seen giving money to Leh journalists, party denies charge

Vikram Sharma
Tribune News Service
Jammu, May 8

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has rubbished allegations against its state president and an MLC of distributing money to reporters at a press conference in Leh on May 2.

Party general secretary (organisation) Ashok Koul, while talking to The Tribune, said all allegations were baseless and misleading, which were being spread to malign the image of the party.

“The CCTV grab being circulated on the social media is of the invitation envelopes being given to reporters for the coverage of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s visit to Leh on May 4. This is being shown as if money is being given to them,” Koul said. 

He said immediately after the press conference of state president Ravinder Raina on May 2, a lunch was organised for the visiting reporters at Hotel Singge Palace.

During and after the lunch, reporters were given envelopes carrying invitation cards for Sitharaman’s visit which has been made viral by some miscreants, saying money was being given to them.

“A self-styled news reporter who attended the press conference is supposed to have done this. We are investigating the matter,” Koul said.

“We distributed the invitation envelopes among many people and shopkeepers of the region. This can be confirmed from them,” he said.

President of the Press Club, Leh, Morup Stanzin accused the BJP of bribing reporters to influence the election outcome and shift the narrative in its favour.

A two-page letter, as a part of a complaint, signed by several members of the club, was submitted to the Election Commissioner on May 3. Stanzin said as it was the first instance of its kind, it had shocked them.