NEW DELHI: The Republic TV editor Arnab Goswami’s WhatsApp chat with BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta on Balakot air strikes has become a weapon against India at Pak hands, given that its timing raises questions if the offensive was known prior to its execution. .
The content of the chat endorses statement issued by Pakistani Ministry For Foreign Affairs claiming the RSS-BJP govt in India is orchestrating fake border encounters and instigating nationalism of the extreme kind to secure electoral victory. Modi used the Balakot attack for swaying votes at elections, said Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Neither BJP nor the centre has responded to Pak allegations so far. Republic TV meanwhile released a statement saying the controversy is Pakistan’s direct onslaught against Arnab Goswami.
Janam TV Crops Up In Chat
Incidentally, the controversial WhatsApp chat Arnab has with the former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta and CEO of Ebix Inc, Robin Raina mentions Janam TV in a rather dubious context. Partho Dasgupta was involved in TRP rigging for Republic TV whose viewership numbers he had fraudulently raised in exchange for bribe. Intriguingly, in the chat, both men share revelry over Janam TV rates surging steeply during Sabarimala controversy days.
The chat thus strengthens wide suspicion that the BARC CEO had helped manipulate ratings for other channels belonging to Sangh Parivar as well. In the chat, Raina speaks about ‘benefiting’ Janam TV and Partho claims the Prime Minister’s Office has taken note of it, to which Raina responds saying, Janam TV was established using RSS funds.
