New Delhi : ’Narendra Modi said Priyanka was like his daughter, DD censored it’

TNN

New Delhi, May 1, 2014 : The interview of BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi’s by public broadcaster Doordarshan was hit by controversy on Wednesday with speculation that some portions — for instance, where the Gujarat leader says Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was "like his daughter" — were edited out. The interview was telecast on April 27, nearly two days after it was recorded, following a buzz in social media that it was being dropped.

According to sources, the interview was recorded on April 26 morning and was telecast at 9.30pm on April 27 in a programme called Khas Mulaqat with barely any promotions or teasers.

 

Modi supporters took to twitter seeking to know why the interview was delayed or whether it was being canned under pressure from the I&B ministry or some other quarter. Incidentally, Modi during the interview said that over the year he had been "blacked-out" by the Doordarshan Kendra in Gujarat and he was surprised to get a request from the broadcaster.

"There appeared to be clear attempts to play down the interview. There was also some speculation that it should be spiked or not telecast till DD had got an interview with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi," a source said.

Sources said that about one hour of the interview was recorded but considerable time was spent on the editing table.

"As a measure of abundant caution it was decided to edit out the part where Modi refused to attack Priyanka Gandhi in response to a question, saying she was like his daughter and not a political rival like her mother, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi," a source said.

He is also reported to have said that in Indian culture daughters were not targeted. "...It was a call taken that the portion may create a political controversy," a source said, explaining why the part was cut out.

Asked why the Modi interview was "delayed", Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar said, "The interview should have been put out immediately. As soon as it was brought to my concerted attention, we had a meeting and decided to slot it. As a news organization, the hot story of the day should not be held back. As a public broadcaster we must maintain balance which sometimes leads to counter-speculation and innuendos. I was told that DD had tried their best to get an interview to balance the Modi one." He however denied any knowledge of which portions were edited or why.