Media boycotts Hardik Patel’s press conference in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad

Continuously on decline, and perceived largely as one of the most hated persons in Gujarat, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti convener Hardik Patel was today boycotted by media persons in Ahmedabad.

Media persons in Ahmedabad had received invitations to Hardik Patel’s press conference via WhatsApp messenger yesterday. Media persons were invited to hotel Foodiac opposite Memnagar fire station near Vijay char rasta in Ahmedabad for press conference and lunch. Media persons were told that Hardik will share details about future programmes of his Patidar Andolan Samiti which is agitating against BJP ruled Gujarat government. The scheduled time of the press conference was 11.30 but Hardik kept media waiting till 12.15 and even beyond.

General rule of the press conference is that one who hosts it remains present well beyond the scheduled time, and press conference starts at the most 15-20 minutes post scheduled time.

When Hardik arrived late, media people complained why he was late as media persons had to rush to police commissioner office to attend commissioner’s media briefing regarding arrest of Asaram Bapu case witness attack accused. In response to this, Hardik with rough body language and tone replied, ‘ae to aemaj chalshe. Modu pan thay.’

Angry with such unapologetic and discourteous reply and irresponsible behavior of Hardik Patel, national TV media persons present there took decision to leave the press conference in one voice, later most of the local print media persons also left the place barring a regional news channel that has catered hyperactive coverage to Patidar agitation since first day.

Over 60 media persons started shouting and some even threw away the copes of the letter to cm in front of Hardik and two of his aides. Later all of them moved out leaving Hardik stunned and sitting in the hall alone with some of his friends.

‘When we objected to his coming late, instead of apologizing he arrogantly said it would be like this only and those who want to cover the program should cover or else leave. This is height of arrogance. He should not take media for granted,’ a local media person on the venue said.

DeshGujarat