Television journalist Ashutosh joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and party leader Sanjay Singh at a press conference.
Mr.Ashutosh had resigned as the Managing Editor of IBN7 on Thursday fuelling speculation that he would join AAP. Answering a volley of questions on whether he was “opportunistic” as he was joining the party ahead of Lok Sabha election, he said, “If history has given us an opportunity, then why shouldn’t we take it?”
Responding to a question on whether he would contest elections, he said, “I have just joined the party and it is up to the party to decide. I will do what the party says and spread the message of the party.” He added that he had not joined the party just for contesting the election.
“I have been in journalism for 23 years and have had good relations with stalwarts in different parties. I could have done that long time back,” he said. Faced with criticism on social media sites that he was not doing justice to his job as he was ideologically inclined to AAP, the former editor said, “Who in the world is without an ideology? Is any newspaper without an ideology? There are editors who are openly Leftists or Rightists, some belong to Congress and some to BJP. I tried to maintain my balance as an editor. I categorically told my newsroom that despite my views over certain issues, please do not look at them and take decisions,” he said.
