Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had to leave the scheduled Press briefing amid chaos and commotion. Photo journalists and reporters confronted the Government after their entry into the Players Building was banned following oral orders from the Delhi Government.
Sisodia, who had come to listen to grievances of the mediapersons and also brief the media about the three important decisions of the Arvind Kejriwal Cabinet on Monday left the media centre.
Media was not allowed entry into the Delhi Secretariat on Monday the first working day of the Arvind Kejriwal Gover-nment. Journalists from both print and electronic media were denied entry. In fact the order of banning media was given last week before the swearing in at Ramlila Maidan. “We have orders from senior Government officials not to let mediapersons enter the premises,” a security person said, and claimed he had received verbal instructions from officials to that effect.
When Sisodia came to address the Press conference questions were raised about banning the media’s entry but he did not respond which led to complete chaos and the eventual boycott.
In his speech after taking oath on Saturday, Kejriwal too had attacked the media for targetting him and his Government. Huge deployment of police force inside the Delhi Secretariat was visible and five layers of security was provided to Kejriwal inside the Players’ Building. The third floor where Delhi Chief Minister’s office is located has been barred from aam admi and media persons.
The AAP leadership felt that mediapersons were too ‘intrusive’ and that was hampering the functioning of the Government. “Without appointment, entry will not be allowed,” the circular stated. Earlier, the AAP had banned entry of mediapersons at Players Building in December 2013 during his 49 days rule. The matter was resolved after media-persons protested over the decision as they thought it was an attempt to muzzle the media.