Gehlot wants floor test after HC defers verdict

JAIPUR/NEWDELHI:CONGRESS legislators supporting Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot staged a dramatic five-hour-long demonstration at Raj Bhavan on Friday, demanding that governor Kalraj Mishra call a special session of the assembly and allow a floor test, which they said they were confident of winning in the midst of their power tussle with former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot and those backing him.

Hours earlier, the Rajasthan high court, which was hearing a plea by Pilot and his loyalists against disqualification notices sent to them, ordered maintaining status quo on the matter.

Therulingmeanttheassembly speaker CP Joshi cannot decide on disqualifying Pilot and 18 other rebel Congress MLAS for the time being.

The court also formally admitted the plea by the Congress rebels and deferred its verdict in the case.

The decision triggered a flurry of activity in the Gehlot camp, which feels that going for an immediate floor test may be the best way to end the political impasse and save the government that has been staring at uncertainty in the wake of a split in its ranks.