Denied entry again in Delhi Secretariat, media fumes

The Arvind Kejriwal led-government did not allow the media to enter the Delhi Secretariat for the second consecutive day Tuesday much to the anger and frustration of many journalists.

On Monday, the first working day of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, media persons were barred from entering the secretariat following a scuffle among some journalists, TV crew and photographers.

Following the altercation, a press conference by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Delhi government spokesperson Nagendra Sharma was called off.

Security personnel at the secretariat said they have directions from government officials not to allow in media persons even though the Delhi government spokesperson denied the issuance of any such directive.

Meanwhile, many of the journalists who were seen waiting outside the gates of the secretariat for the second consecutive day were left fuming.

"It happened yesterday (Monday) and today (Tuesday) we were expecting to get inside but the snobbish mentality of this government is condemnable. They should learn to behave responsibly," said a scribe who did not wished to be named.

However, it seems the government has finally decided to budge on the issue due to the rising pressure from protesting journalists as a press conference at the Delhi Secretariat is likely to take place Wednesday afternoon, officials said. - IANS