BJP's Gujarat unit chief CR Paatil has found himself in a bit of a controversy. In the previous week, he announced the free distribution of 5000 doses of Remdesivir in Surat, which happens to be his hometown, as per a report in The Indian Express.?
Remdesivir can only be supplied in hospitals and by pharmacists when a doctor treating COVID has provided a prescription. Right now its export has been banned by the centre.
Ahmedabad-based pharmaceutical company Zydus Cadila was selling Remdesivir injections at a lower rate through its hospitals since April 5. But on April 9, Zydus said it had run out of stock.?
On the same day, Paatil made his announcement. On April 11, BJP offices in Surat began distributing the drug, as per The Hindu.?
¡°Ask him how he has managed to get the stock,¡± said Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.?
The following day Gujarat-based daily Divya Bhaskar published his phone number, urging readers to get a response.?
¡°Despite standing in line for hours, people are not getting Remdesivir injections, so how did BJP President CR Paatil get 5000 injections,¡± it asked.?
¡°The government must respond,¡± it added.?
The BJP has come to his defence.?
"As per the instructions of our president, local traders bought the drug in whichever available quantity on their own, from Gujarat and outside,¡± said media convener Yagnesh on April 11 as per The Indian Express.?
Paatil changed his statement too. He first said BJP had bought it from Zydus but later stated the party was only ¡°supplementing the distribution¡±, and the injections were bought by ¡°friends¡±.