A day after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) assured an internal fair probe into the released by, the party on Friday termed the video as "doctored" and "part of a political conspiracy".
Addressing a press conference, senior AAP leader Yogendra Yadav claimed that Media Sarkar, the portal that had released the sting, did not issue the raw footage of the video to the party despite repeated insistence. He went on to "warn people" that more such politically motivated videos concerning AAP might come up in future.
Defending AAP leaders captured in the sting, Yadav alleged that Media Sarkar released edited video which was designed against leaders of his party. "It is clear from the sting that the reporter is forcing AAP leaders to say things he wanted them to speak," he further said.
Urging the Election Commission to take a strong note of the sting, Yadav said that if the poll body found any of the AAP leaders guilty, they would not contest the upcoming assembly elections.
Referring to the offer of Shazia Ilmi, who has been shown in the sting, to withdraw from contesting elections, the senior AAP leader said that "Shazia is very emotional, and that is why she offered to withdraw her candidature" adding that AAP had not accepted her offer.
The party further announced that it would take legal action against those involved. According to Yadav, a criminal defamation suit would be filed against Media Sarkar and some TV channels that showed the sting video before getting it verified. He also said that the party would approach the Press Council of India and the News Broadcasters Association against channels that showed the sting.
Defending party leader Shazia Ilmi, senior party member and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan said that she had clearly said in the sting that she would act only if proper documents were given. He added, "There is nothing wrong if AAP leaders want to help those who are in trouble."

About Hemant Verma

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