The Hindu : New Delhi News : Media presence objected

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 21, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Media presence objected

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, APRIL 20. The Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from South Delhi, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, today had to wait for almost 15 minutes before filing his nominations papers before the Returning Officer as the police would not allow the battery of photographers and journalists inside citing "security reasons''.

The BJP spokesman, Prof. Malhotra, who arrived at the venue on M. B. Road near Saket at 11-30 a.m. in large motorcade and supporters dancing to the beat of drums, insisted before the security officials that he would only file his nomination papers in the presence of media men. While a large number of media persons had gathered outside the office of the Returning Officer, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Varsha Sharma, denied them entry into the small room arguing that it might result in "law and order" problem.

The key supporters of Prof. Malhotra including the Gulmohar Park BJP Councillor, Aarti Mehra, and the MLA from Saket, Vijay Jolly, objected to this. "Every day we see in the television channels and newspapers we see pictures of candidates filing their nomination papers. Why are we being denied this basic right?" Ms. Mehra shouted. Ms. Sharma also rejected the BJP proposal that five-six journalists be allowed arguing that she did not want to discriminate among the media.

And all this while Prof. Malhotra refused to file his nomination papers and his supporters even threatened to walkout and lodge an official protest. A heated argument ensued between some of the senior BJP leaders and Ms. Sharma and the Returning Officer, S. S. Yadav, also joined in. A few reporters and a television crew which had sneaked in before the issue was raised were also asked to leave the room. Meanwhile, a few lawyers accompanying Prof. Malhotra also began arguing, stating that this was illegal and could be challenged in the court of law.

Finally apprehending things might go out of control, Mr. Yadav and Ms. Sharma agreed to permit entry to the media. Soon the room was choked with hordes of journalists and photographers. Prof. Malhotra filed his nomination papers amid the chanting of the sacred Gayatri Mantra. About 15 minutes later he moved out of the room flashing the victory sign with his fingers.

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