Election 2019: Modi Or Rahul, Who Has Been Getting Softball Questions From The Media?
Transcript:
Every journalist who gets the chance to interview Prime Minister Modi asks about Rafale, demonetisation, and joblessness - as they should. These have become the defining issues of Modi’s term as prime minister.
But when journalists get the same opportunity with Rahul Gandhi… to ask him the tough questions, there’s silence. There’s no talk of THAT thing that you can’t speak about.
Why this double standard?
Here’s the thing. Rahul Gandhi is the accused in this case involving more than Rs 5,000 crore. According to BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who has been leading the fight against the Gandhis, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have been allegedly involved in cheating and breach of trust in the acquisition of Associated Journals Ltd by Young Indian Pvt Ltd, a not-for-profit company owned by the Gandhis.
An allegation of personal corruption worth thousands of crores is not something you can take lightly, especially when it’s against someone who wants to be the prime minister of the country.
Let’s not forget that Rahul Gandhi is actually out on bail over this issue while he is happy to talk about corruption in the opposite camp.
And I understand - Rahul may not be able to speak on the matter, with the matter being subjudice.
But what stops journalists from probing… isn’t that their job?
Do the journalists, especially in the Delhi circles, fear making Rahul Gandhi look bad during election season? After all, if the last five years are any evidence, the media has been all too happy to try to take Modi down and derail his agenda while going easy on the opposition.
In a free and fair democracy, where the media is the fourth pillar, shouldn’t there be tough questions asked of both the prime minister and the chief of the competing party, the opposition?
And plus, if journalists asked Rahul Gandhi about that case, the one we can’t speak about, I'm sure people will get to hear something other than just “chowkidar chor hai”.
Maybe then the electorate will have something to think about and vote on rather than having to make a decision based on empty election sloganeering.
*
Subscribe to Swarajya on YouTube to keep up with regular stream of videos.