New Delhi, A defiant BJP has decided to boycott the news channel CNN-IBN that filmed the cash for vote episode during July 22-trust vote. The party has asked the channel to revise its decision not to air the tapes of the sting operation conducted on three BJP MPs.
"In the background of the sting operation's obduracy, the BJP has been compelled to decide that it will boycott CNN-IBN and channels related to it till such time the unedited tapes of the notes-for-votes scandal are telecast," announced M Venkiah Naidu, vice president of the party.
He said till then no BJP functionary in Delhi or in the states will appear on CNN-IBN programmes, whether in their studios or outside adding the party believes that the channel's decision to withhold the tapes from the public seriously compromises the freedom of press.
Naidu regretted that instead of upholding the right to information, CNN-IBN has resorted to the suppression of truth. "Even at this stage, the BJP calls upon the channel to revise its decision and telecast the tapes without any further delay. The party will happily review its decision to boycott the channel as soon as the tapes are aired," Naidu said.
CNN-IBN has been receiving the ire of the BJP after the channel head Rajdeep Sardesai announced that the channel did not air the tapes, as the investigation was incomplete and there were some loose ends. What prompted the BJP to announce boycott of the channel is that the not airing of the tapes is not giving credentials to the campaign of the principle opposition party, which is has launched against the government.