Star Plus demands apology from Rakhi Sawant

Mumbai, Dec 27 (UNI) Star Plus has demanded an ''unconditional'' and ''public apology'' from 'Nach Baliye' finalists Rakhi Sawant and her partner Abhishek Awasthi, who have accused the channel of using dubious means to declare winners of the dance show.

In a statement issued here today, Keertan Adyanthaya, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Star Plus said, ''This is just a publicity stunt. This jodi is using the media for their own nefarious purposes. They are making allegations against Star Plus without any basis or a shred of evidence. It's a ploy for them to remain in the news. They have still not contacted the channel or the producers directly with any issues they have, but are using the media. These are all just hollow allegations''.

Mr Adyanthaya Keertan described Rakhi-Abhishek as poor losers.

''They are nothing but poor losers, I feel sorry for them that they have to resort to such public pleading to remain the news. It's a case of 'grapes are sour'. As far as we are concerned, the show ended on Saturday night, but it looks like the show and its associated glitz and glamour are hard to leave behind for some people,''he added.

He said Star Plus was ready to cooperate with police if they were approached when the investigations were held in the case filed by Rakhi. ''It is not a case against Star Plus but against some unknown parties who have allegedly voted using some software,'' Mr Adyanthaya said.

In the final on December 22, Aamir Ali and Sanjeeda Sheikh won the contest and Rakhi-Abhishek alleged that the vote was rigged.

UNI