Amar Singh gets a taste of mediaperson's ire

New Delhi, Nov 16 (UNI) Media-savvy Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh had to face the wrath of members of the Press for his ''inordinately'' late arrival at a press conference here today.

Even though he tried hard to placate the journalists, his pleas failed to cut much ice, especially with the electronic media which decided enough was enough.

Even his firm assurance that ''errant'' officials of the Information Department would not be allowed to go scot-free for the ''glitches'' had any impact as the journalists belonging to the electronic media removed the microphones and folded the tripods even as a flabbergasted Mr Singh cajoled with them, and at times lost his cool, at the hostile reception from the media.

It all happened at the ongoing India International Trade Fair, where Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav was to address the press conference at 1200hrs. It was only after reaching the venue that they were informed that the Chief Minister would not be able to make it to the press conference because of some engagement at Benaras. However, no formal announcement was made in this regard.

Some 45 minutes later, as the mediapersons became fidgety, the message came that Mr Amar Singh, who is also the chairman of the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation, would instead be addressing the press conference.

Around 1315 hrs, both print and electronic media journalists walked out of the venue since there was no official announcement about the late arrival of Mr Singh.

It was only at 1330 hrs that Mr Amar Singh, escorted by his Black Cat commandos arrived at the scene. By that time, some of the print media journalists had already left.

Mr Singh tried to mollify the journalists by profusely apoplogising to them and by describing the Press as the Fourth Estate of democracy.

''I profusely tender my apology. I also assure that your inconvenience caused by the glitches on the part of Information Department officials would be looked into and stern action taken against them,'' he said.

But it did not have any impact on the electronic media, which took a few shots, and then, barring a few, most of them folded their cameras and removed the mikes.

This infuriated Mr Singh. ''I have tendered my apology, but you are insulting me by hurling abuses and throwing the press releases and booklets. This is unfair. There must be a limit to your insolence.'' However, neither his tantrum nor his cajoling worked and the electronic media walked out of the press conference. However, jopurnalists from the print media stayed back, much to the relief of Mr Singh.

UNI/SKS MSJ HT1555