Virbhadra Singh apologises for threatening media, denies graft alleagtions

NEW DELHI: After threatening to break news TV cameras on Tuesday evening, Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Virbhadra Singh apologised on Wednesday, to add, "I respect the media and my intention was not to hurt anybody."

With the threat earning Singh and Congress bad press in the run up to the November 4 assembly elections, even his party expressed regret in New Delhi for his remarks. The incident happened at Ani in Kullu district on Tuesday evening when some mediapersons sought his reaction to BJP's allegations. "I will break your cameras. Don't you have any other work to do," Singh shot back.

Congress called Singh's outburst unfortunate. "If anyone is hurt, we apologise," party spokesperson Sandeep Dikshit said when asked to react to the incident. Dikshit said such things sometimes happen during an election campaign. "We do not know the context behind the incident. Sometimes in the midst of an election campaign, one gets angry and upset. It is unfortunate. Virbhadra Singh is a senior leader. Sometimes such things happen under mental or physical pressure," Dikshit said in Delhi.

Within hours of the party apologising in New Delhi, Singh issued an unqualified apology at a press conference in Shimla over the graft allegations. Singh began by apologising for Tuesday's incident. "I am sorry. I did not mean to offend anyone," Singh said, adding, "I've no hesitation in showing my regret for that (incident) if I've hurt anybody's sentiments." He rejected the allegations against him.

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi is set to campaign in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday. He will campaign in Kangra, Lahaul & Spiti and Solan districts.

BJP has alleged Singh had laundered money by purchasing megabuck LIC policies and demanded a probe into the allegations. Singh denied all allegations and said that all his income were from agriculture. "I categorically deny all charges against me. I have not forged any documents and never faked my I-T returns. I have given full details to the I-T department about my agricultural activities and land holdings." Singh, however, admitted that the I-T department can question him if it notices any discrepancy in his I-T returns. "I have been a regular I-T payer and never evade taxes." he said.

Singh threatened to file defamation suit against those indulging in his 'character assassination.' Lashing out at BJP leader Arun Jaitley for making allegations of forgery, money laundering and income-tax evasion against him, Singh said, "Jaitley should worry more about his national president who is in a sham today. Jaitley should divert his attention towards him rather than poor Virbhadra Singh. I reserve my right...I will take legal action. I will sue. I will file defamation suits...let them be prepared to face the consequences of false allegations. My biggest asset is my honour, my dignity," Singh said.