In a video going viral on social media, an interview with UPSC educator and newly-inducted Aam Aadmi Party member Avadh Ojha was abruptly halted by party workers at their office in Delhi on Thursday.
Watch the video here:
As per reports, the interview, conducted by BBC News Hindi reporter Anshul Singh, was interrupted moments after a question about Ojha’s past praise for the BJP and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, both rivals of the AAP.
Ojha, who recently joined the AAP ahead of the Delhi elections, had transitioned from teaching UPSC aspirants in Delhi to running popular YouTube coaching sessions. His political entry came amid speculation that he had sought Lok Sabha tickets from the BJP and Congress but was denied by both parties.
During the interview, Singh asked Ojha if he would continue to appreciate BJP leaders like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, given his new political affiliation. Ojha began to respond, emphasising that acknowledging someone’s merits reflects a positive attitude and cited examples like cricketer Sachin Tendulkar praising Brian Lara.
However, the conversation was cut short by an unidentified voice in the background, stating, “I had told you not to ask any odd question. Stop this.”
Singh defended his line of questioning, asking Ojha if his query was objectionable. Ojha replied, “The party will decide the line. This is what these people will decide,” before removing his lapel microphone.
BBC News Hindi, in its description of the uploaded video, stated that AAP functionaries “stopped the recording midway” and “did not let the conversation finish.”
