AAP alleges cuts, interpolations in sting video, website gives tapes to EC

New Delhi: The sting operation against Aam Aadmi Party candidates in Delhi took a new twist, as the website mediasarkar.com, instead of handing over the unedited tapes to AAP as demanded by the latter, handed them to the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi, overseeing the assembly elections. Aam Aadmi Party, which had promised to take action against its erring candidates within 24 hours, today alleged there were several cuts and interpolations in the sting video. AAP in a press release today announced three steps; (1) it will file a criminal defamation against the website media sarkar. (2) it will appeal to EC to intervene and stop telecast/publication/circulation of the sting video and take action against those responsible, and (3) it will appeal to News Broadcasters Association and Press Council of India to take action against news channels which broadcasted the said video. AAP alleged there were several cuts and interpolations in the said video. It said :(1) From the entire CD it is clear that the report was targeting the candidates and trying to speak what he/she wanted. The candidates frequently answered with Yes, No, and tried to wriggle off, and that small replies were cut and interpolated. (2)In almost all conversations, the video was shown cut off from the main context, so as to add red herrings. Unless the conversations prior to and following the one shown on tape are shown, no allegation can be established. (3) At more than one places, the conversations have been broken, some portions have been hidden. (4) At one place, an important sentence from the transcript has been removed, whereas it can be heard clearly on tape. The AAP, the press release said, has reached the conclusion, that taking any decision against any candidate relying on the CD will go against the fundamental principles of natural justice. This CD appears to be part of a sponsored campaign against the politics of honesty, it said. In coming days, more such things could take place, the party cautioned. Like other main parties, AAP does not want to enter legal labyrinth, and since the people of the country believe in the Election Commission, it requests the EC to investigate the charges (preferably within 48 hours) and tell the nation whether any candidate has violated law. If the EC holds any candidate guilty, AAP will retired that candidate from the race, and we believe the party will come out shining from this 'test of fire' (agni pareeksha), the press release said. The sting operation was carried out by the website against 7 AAP candidates contesting Delhi assembly polls including Shazia Ilmi.Kumar Vishwas, a prominent face of AAP and a close aide of Kejriwal is also trapped in this sting operation and is seen as willing to do his show in lieu of cash and not cheque.What has come as a major shock to Kejriwal supporters is the fact that out of 7 party candidates, only one candidate Prakash, AAP candidate from Devli constituency, refused to indulge in any illegal activity.All others are seen in this CD as willing to compromise with principles.In this sting operation, Shazia Ilmi , AAP candidate contesting from R K Puram is seen as willing to accept unaccounted donation.In the second part of this CD, another prominent face of AAP, Kumar Vishwas, is seen showing his readiness for doing a show in lieu of cash and not cheque.The CD also shows Manoj Kumar, AAP candidate from Kondli, agreeing to recover money from a builder. Manoj Kumar Kumar promises to get the work done through his men after elections are over.The six AAP candidates who have been seen as compromising with principles in this CD are – Shazia Ilmi (R K Puram), Manoj Kumar (Kondli), Dinesh Mohaniya (Sangam Vihar), Irfanullah Khan (Okhla), Mukesh Huda (Rohtas Nafar) and Bhawna Gaur(Palam).The seventh AAP candidate Prakash (Devli) emerged as an honest candidate who refused to get involved in anything illegal.