INDIA bloc says no to debates with BJP-aligned news anchors

New Delhi: The INDIA coalition, a unified front of opposition parties in India, has declared its decision to boycott television debate shows hosted by news anchors with perceived affiliations to the ruling BJP.

The announcement came after a meeting of the coalition's coordination committee, held at the residence of Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar.

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, addressing reporters, disclosed that the coordination committee had empowered a sub-group on media to determine which TV anchors would be shunned by INDIA alliance representatives.

While Venugopal did not explicitly mention any specific anchor names, Peoples Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti clarified that the move was primarily directed at what is often referred to as "godi media."

This term, meaning "lapdog media," has been employed by opposition leaders to criticize media outlets and journalists perceived as biased towards the BJP.

Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha further emphasized that the media sub-group had recommended abstaining from participating in debates hosted by anchors known for conducting "inflammatory debates."

The coordination committee of the opposition alliance has also initiated the process of seat-sharing discussions among its member parties. As part of their strategy, they plan to organize joint public meetings across the country, with the first gathering scheduled for early October in Bhopal.