This story is from August 10, 2020

State BJP shields Rajasthan MLAs from media glare

State BJP shields Rajasthan MLAs from media glare
Gandhinagar: The Rajasthan unit of the BJP has shifted about 20 of its MLAs to Gujarat, a state which it rules, but the Gujarat BJP leaders have made a concerted attempt to keep the visiting Rajasthan MLAs away from media and public glare.
Even as political drama is being played out in neighbouring Rajasthan, as the BJP looks to bring down the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government with the help of former Congress state president Sachin Pilot and his loyalists, the tables have been turned over the past two days.
BJP shifted its MLAs to Gujarat to prevent poaching by the Congress.
These Rajasthan BJP MLAs have been housed at a private golf club near Ahmedabad and at a resort in Sasan near Junagadh. The BJP is making all efforts to ensure that its Rajasthan MLAs are kept away from the media. Minister of state (home) Pradipsinh Jadeja is monitoring the stay of the visiting MLAs, sources said.
Sources said, “Gujarat police and the state BJP’s key office bearers are ensuring that nobody from media or any private person reaches these MLAs.” Sources further said that the visiting MLAs will return back to their home state on directions of the Rajasthan and central BJP leadership. “The MLAs are expected to return back to Rajasthan on August 11, and will reach Jaipur hours before the state’s assembly session on August 12, when the Gehlot government floor test is expected,” the sources said.
Chief minister deflects question
Chief minister, Vijay Rupani, deflected a question about the BJP shifting its Rajasthan MLAs to Gujarat ahead of the crucial trust vote in the neighbouring state, telling reporters to ask the question to state BJP president C R Paatil. He was speaking to the media after holding a Covid review meeting in Bhavnagar on Saturday. Refusing to answer a question on the presence of Rajasthan BJP MLAs in Gujarat, the CM got up to leave and said, “C R Bhai ne puchho (ask C R Paatil).” Deputy CM, Nitin Patel, said immediately afterwards, “What would C R Bhai know”. C R Paatil has not commented on the issue.
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