The resignation of Deepak Chaurasia, who had put in his papers last week, as Executive Editor at Aaj Tak, has not been accepted by the TV Today management.
Though QW Naqvi, News Director, Aaj Tak, refused to comment on this development, reliable sources in the news channel confirmed the resignation and told exchange4media that the resignation had been put on hold as Aroon Purie was currently out of India. exchange4media has also learnt that the final decision on the resignation would be taken after Purie returns on June 21.
The resignation of Chaurasia, who has been specifically performing the role of National Bureau Head and a prime time anchor, assumes significance as he has been associated with Aaj Tak ever since its inception in 2000, except for a brief stint of about one year when he had joined Doordarshan as Consulting Editor. Chaurasia’s resignation at this juncture is also significant as Aaj Tak has lost its supremacy as the numero uno channel, being relegated to No. 2 position behind India TV with a big drop in its TRP.
Chaurasia figures among close to a dozen senior editorial people at Aaj Tak, who quit the channel in the last one year. These include Ram Kirpal, Punya Prasoon Bajpai, Ashutosh, Sanjay Bragta, Supriyo Prasad, Pranjal Sharma, Sanjay Pathak, Shishir Joshi and Vijay Vidrohi. In all, well over four dozen editorial people of Aaj Tak have quit the channel.
Meanwhile, Chaurasia, who is away on a visit to the Vaishno Devi shrine, said that he would talk after he returns to Delhi. exchange4media has learnt that he might be headed for Star News, or even negotiate for a higher and commanding position in Aaj Tak.
