Mumbai, Jan 25 (FN Agency) Maharashtra NCP chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase on Monday said termed ‘’shocking’’ revelations about how Republic TV paid Partho Das Gupta former CEO, BARC for higher TRP rate. Addressing a press conference, Mr Tapase in the Supplementary chargesheet filed by the Mumbai Police, Partha Dasgupta has admitted to having received cash to the tune of $12000 US and 40 lakh rupees in Indian currency by Arnab Goswami to prefix higher ratings for Republic channel. Now it is more than evident that Mr Goswami was driving an agenda to destabilize the MVA government in Maharashtra on the basis of false TRP ratings. He had a clear agenda to manipulate the minds of viewers against the MVA leaders and the Government.
The media is considered as the fourth estate of the democracy and is looked upon by the citizens as torchbearers of truth, Mr Tapase added. The press conference was held against the backdrop of Mr Dasgupta, in a handwritten statement to Mumbai police, confessing to having received US $12,000 besides other favours from the Republic TV Editor-in-chief for manipulating ratings in favour of the channel. The supplementary chargesheet filed by Mumbai police also includes BARC forensic audit report, Watsapp chats between Goswami and Dasgupta besides statements of 59 people.