Businessman Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, sparked controversy after he shoved away the mic of a ANI reporter and misbehaved when he was asked about his alleged land deals in Haryana.
‘Are you serious? Are you serious? Are you nuts? What is wrong with you,” angry Vadra asked the reporter after visibly losing his temper. He later asked his security personnel to force the journalist to turn the camera off.
Photo Source: Financial Express
ANI Editor-in-chief Smita Prakash said, “Our reporter was pressured to delete the clip. That is when we entered the scene and refused to delete it.”
Vadra’s office said that it was a private affair and he was not aware that he was speaking to the media.
“It was a private event and media was not to be there and he thought it’s the private internal photographer asking him questions. He never knew it was ANI,” Vadra’s office said.
However, the footage showed clearly that Vadra was comfortable answering to the ANI reporter before the ‘land deal’ question was asked.
The video showed Vadra was saying, “put your camera off”.
Meanwhile, Congress came out in defending Vadra’s action following the huge criticism by the media and IB ministry.
Congress spokesperson Renuka Chaudhary said, “I don’t know what happened. I have not seen the clip. It’s a gross violation from both sides. Nothing justifies the behavior but media should also behave properly. Why should journalists ask idiotic questions on the basis of merely allegations which are not proven in court. Media makes allegations without substance.”
Tags: ANI Congress Priyanka Gandhi Robert Vadra Sonia Gandhi
