Quit journalism if you want to be politician: Rajiv Shukla

Kanpur, Jan 14: Union Minister Rajiv Shukla on Monday derided the practice of journalists getting involved in politics saying this was against the ethics of the profession.

Doing political work under the mask of journalists is wrong, Shukla said, and asked those doing this to quit journalism and join politics.

Without naming anyone, the minister said some journalists were writing in support of one party, which was against the ethics of the profession; then they quit news and join their favourite party. Referring to himself, Shukla said he had quit journalism first and then joined politics, which he said welcomes anyone with open hands, but journalism was a pure profession whose sanctity should not be abused, and the two could not go hand in hand.

Shukla was attending the swearing-in ceremony of Kanpur Press Club here and was responding to questions from scribes on various matters.

Shukla: Journos getting involved in politics against the ethics of profession

On Aam Aadmi Party's challenge to contest polls from Amethi against Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, he said Congress had done so many developmental works in the region and campaigning was on a high pitch, and asserted that Rahul would not lose the seat.

When asked if Rahul will be named the Prime Ministerial candidate at the Jauary 17 Congress meeting, he said the decision will be taken after due consideration at the meeting.

PTI