Jaipur: In view of the ensuing tug of political war in Rajasthan, foolproof efforts are now being made to ensure that the BJP MLAs are protected from the possible poaching by the Congress. Almost a dozen of party MLAs from Jodhpur and Udaipur region have been taken to Gujarat on a sight-seeing tour.
In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Rajasthan BJP unit Dr Satish Poonia has admitted the fact that his party MLAs have gone to Gujarat. He says that this step has been taken to keep away the agents of Congress who have started disturbing the BJP MLAs.
Poonia during the interview levelled several charges against the state Congress government led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and said, they are using the police and taking the help of unscrupulous elements to intimidate the BJP MLAs.
"It is proven time and again that the Congress has not spared its own MLAs. So, it can go to any extent to poach BJP MLAs. We have no faith in the intent of the Congress government. As a matter of precaution, we have sent out our MLAs to Gujarat," he said.
Dr Poonia was also critical of the Congress for keeping its MLAs in a fenced enclosure which he said, is normally used for animals.
But now, his own party has sent its MLAs to Gujarat. When asked in this regard, he said that he is not keeping his party MLAs in a group of six in an enclosure type accommodation. “We are in the opposition. We are free. Our MLAs can go anywhere and everywhere,” added Dr Punia.
He added that they (BJP MLAs) have the right to movement and if needed, they would be called back as well. “It is now up to you how you look at this. It is up to you if you liken this to keeping MLAs in a fenced enclosure or something else,” he added.
However, BJP's move to sent its MLAs to Gujarat displays that the party is being haunted by the fear that its MLAs too can switch over to the other side.
In his conversation with ETV Bharat, Dr Poonia admitted this fear and said that they are scared as the Gehlot Government is not sparing its own MLAs and is slapping cases against them.
"The government can slap sedition charges even against our MLAs. As a result, our MLAs, who hail from the tribal belt in the state, have been sent to Gujarat where the BJP is in power instead of allowing them to be in Rajasthan," Poonia added saying that CM Gehlot can go to any extent to save his chair.
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Dr Poonia also alleged the Congress has created many contractors in politics, who approach MLAs and he would reveal more details after the Vidhan Sabha Session.
When asked about the number of MLAs been sent to Gujarat, Dr Poonia categorically said that he doesn’t have their counting and that the party’s District Units had been authorized to do the needful in this regard. Accordingly, they have sent MLAs to Gujarat.
Adding that the BJP has not done anything unethical he said, "If people feel like going outside for a break, they will go. We will call them back any day if needed from August 11."
The MLAs have been sent to Gujarat under the supervision of party MLA Dharm Narain Joshi.
However, when asked if he has plans to send party MLAs to the BJP ruled state of Madhya Pradesh, Dr Poonia said that his party cannot afford to send MLAs to different BJP ruled states. He added that all MLAs will shortly be called to Jaipur.
