File photo: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addresses a gathering after launching an anti-corruption helpline in New Delhi. (Associated Press)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has accused the media of accepting a supari or contract to finish off his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in his sharpest attack yet on journalists. The Chief Minister also called for a "public trial" of media groups.
Mr Kejriwal made the remarks while defending his Law Minister Jitender Singh Tomar, who is accused of faking his law degree, during the launch of a website.
"There is a need for a public trial of the media to expose their bias," the Chief Minister said, alleging that "a large section of the media" had tried everything to tarnish his party's image.
AAP had its back to the wall in the past few weeks over the alleged suicide of a farmer at its rally and a university's claim in court that the law minister faked his degree.
"TV channels did everything to destroy us before the election and even now they are trying. But people will not be fooled," said Mr Kejriwal, who apologized last month for making a speech even after a Rajasthan farmer hanged himself from a tree at his rally.
Last week, the Chief Minister confronted violent protests by opposition parties who have demanded the sacking of Mr Tomar.
Mr Kejriwal said he was satisfied with his minister's clarification and said he was being hounded by the media.
"The media's aim is not to know the truth but to get Tomar sacked. I am not Tomar's relative or friend. I had sought an explanation from Tomar on the controversy. He gave a satisfactory answer and said he wasn't at fault as his degree is genuine," Mr Kejriwal said.
To support his allegations of bias, he accused the media of deliberately not reporting an auditor's report on violations by Purti, a company linked to union minister Nitin Gadkari.