Arvind Kejriwal alleges whole media is sold, backtracks later

New Delhi, Mar 14: Kicking off a fresh controversy,

has alleged that the whole

is "sold" and "heavy amounts" have been paid to promote

's prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi.

But he later denied having made the accusations against the media after his remarks came under attack from Congress, BJP and CPI.

"Since the last one year, we have been told that Modi is here, Modi is there. Since one year, Modi has also been saying that. Even some TV channels have been saying that 'Ram Rajya' has come and corruption has vanished....

"Why did they do it? Because money has been paid to TV channels. Heavy amounts have been paid to promote Modi," Kejriwal alleged in a video aired by a TV channel.

How can I be upset with you (media)?: Arvind Kejriwal

"Around 800 farmers have committed suicide in Gujarat in the past 10 years, but none of the channels showed it," he alleged and added that farmers have sold their land to a company for just "one rupee but even this has not been shown by any channel."

Hitting out at the media for focusing on his security deployment, he charged that the "whole media is sold this time, it is a big conspiracy, it is a huge political controversy. If our government comes to power then we will set up an inquiry into this. And along with the media people, all will be sent to jail".

However, as the video went viral stoking a controversy, the AAP leader denied making the remarks.

"I didn't say that. I didn't say anything. How can I be upset with you (media)," he said.

PTI