Don t convert RSTV into BJP-TV: Congress

New Delhi Feb 7 (IANS) Alleging "discrimination" against the opposition parties while giving coverage on Rajya Sabha TV the Congress on Wednesday urged the House not to convert the public broadcaster into BJP s TV.

"Its a serious issue. All the political parties should be given proper coverage by the Rajya Sabha TV. Around five minutes of Derek O Brien s speech was not telecast on the Rajya Sabha TV.

"This is Rajya Sabha TV do not make it BJP TV " Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said in the Upper House.

Azad s remarks came soon after TMC member O Brien alleged that the first five minutes of his speech on Motion of Thanks on the Presidential address was blacked out by Rajya Sabha TV.

Raking up the issue through a point of order O Brien said Rajya Sabha TV stopped the broadcast of his speech.

Azad later demanded an inquiry into the matter by panel of all-party representatives.

"I was watching Rajya Sabha TV on Monday night and I found that 98 per cent coverage was given to BJP President Amit Shah s speech while opposition s parties view were aired only for 16 seconds.

"Don t do this. The matter needs to inquired by the all-party representatives " Azad said.

On Tuesday Samajwadi Party member Naresh Agarwal had alleged that the Rajya Sabha TV has become Bharatiya Janata Party s TV.

--IANS
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