NEW DELHI: BJP leader and spokesperson Sambit Patra was asked to leave a debate show telecast recently on a national television channel during a discussion on cow slaughter, including the proposed beef party in Meghalaya for which the party’s West Garo Hills district president Bernard N. Marak had to resign.
The spat between Patra and Nidhi Razdan, who hosts a talk show on NDTV, started when one of the panelists, Sanjoy Hazarika, Director of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, was interrupted by the BJP leader who accused the channel of having an agenda.
The first five minutes of the show had Patra answer questions about the new rules and a BJP leader in Meghalaya quitting over it.
The panel was debating on the new cattle trade and slaughter rules notified by the Centre and the subsequent public slaughter of a calf in Kerala by youth Congress members during a protest.
It was Sanjay who asked, “Why do you always interrupt?”
Patra replied, “I interrupt other people in NDTV only. And I do that because the TV has an agenda and I need to do that.”
To this, Razdan took offence and asked Sambit to either apologise or leave the show.
“No I am sorry Sambit, either you apologise for that or please leave the programme. I am not going to accept this accusation of an agenda. I am sorry Sambit Patra, just because you are asked questions does not mean there is an agenda,” Razdan said.
The verbal duel went on with the main debate taking a backseat for almost five minutes. During the duration of this bitter war of words, Razdan repeatedly told him to either leave the show or apologise.
The BJP spokesperson refused to leave and said, “No, no I would not leave. Either we will boycott your channel, (if) we come to your channel we will not leave,” or “Why would I leave? I should expose you and your TV’s agenda.”
The anchor retorted saying, “Are you threatening to boycott us? So you are most welcome to go to other channels which are glorified versions of Doordarshan, please enjoy yourself.”
Razdan refused to go back to him and engaged with other panelists like DMK spokesperson Saravana.
Marak had to quit BJP after he came under pressure for his remark that he would conduct a beef festival to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three years in power.
The party’s national spokesperson and Meghalaya in-charge, Nalin Kohli had told media persons here that Marak would be sacked for his comment or the party would welcome the Garo Hills leader’s decision to quit BJP.
