New Delhi: The All India United Democratic Front (AIDUF) chief and Lok Sabha MP from Assam’s Dhubri constituency Badruddin Ajmal on Thursday apologised for threatening and verbally abusing a journalist.

Underling that he has "sincere regards" for the media, Ajmal apologised for the incident and called it an "unintentional aberration." "Media is the fourth pillar of democracy and I have always respected media persons and everyone knows that,” Ajmal wrote on Twitter.

On Wednesday, Ajmal had verbally threatened to break the head of a stringer for ETV Bharat who had questioned the Lok Sabha MP if his party would ally with whichever party coming to power. The incident took place at a function, where Ajmal felicitated the panchayat elections winners of South Salmara district.

After the journalist asked the Lok Sabha MP whether AIUDF would change its position after the polls depending on which party won, Ajmal lost his temper and said, “How many crore will you give? (abuse)… Is it journalism? People like you are demeaning journalism. This man is against us from earlier on.”

Also Read: 'I'll Break Your Head': AIDUF's Badruddin Ajmal Threatens Journalist

Ajmal then rained more abuses, snatched the mike of another journalist and tried to hit the scribe who had asked the question. “He is asking for how much money will I be sold to BJP? His father will be sold. Go from here or else I will break your head. Go and file a case against me…(abuse)… I have my men in court…you will be finished. You have done this earlier also,” the leader said.

The journalist later filed a complaint with the police against the Lok Sabha lawmaker.

Following the incident, the United Television Media Association held protests against Ajmal in Guwahati for threatening the journalist.

(With agency inputs)

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