Video shows Rajasthan BJP MLA Shimla Bawri saying she gave money to journalists

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The video of her speech, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, shows the MLA saying she had sent “envelopes” containing cash to all journalists in the constituency. Three of the journalists returned the envelopes saying they would take the money from her after she won, she added. The MLA went on to lament the “fall” in standards of journalism.

When contacted, Bawri rubbished the allegations and said the video had been “edited” and doctored. She said she would raise the issue in the Assembly.

“This is rubbish. It is a false video. There is a small-time journalist who runs a two-page fortnightly newspaper and in the garb of that he harasses people,” Bawri said.

The video shows Bawri saying, “I am from a poor family…(but) when I contested elections… whatever I could manage, I sent in envelopes to all journalists in Gharsana, Anupgarh, Rawla. Out of these, three journalists returned the envelopes to my home, saying, ‘Madam, today we cannot accept this amount… when you win the elections… then we will ask you and you should give us then.’”

Several journalists in Anupgarh confirmed to The Indian Express that they had received envelopes containing Rs 11,000 in cash from the MLA.