Maken meets Raj Cong MLAS amid infighting
Congress general secretary Ajay Maken held one-onone discussions with Rajasthan Congress MLAS for the second day here on Thursday.
Ahead of the expected Cabinet reshuffle, Maken is holding talks with party legislators to take feedback on the performance of the Congress government in the state.
Maken was scheduled to hold one-on-one meeting with 52 legislators from 20 districts on Thursday.
“Maken interacted with 66 MLAS yesterday and will hold meeting with 52 MLAS today,”
Congress leader Mahendra Choudhary told reporters outside the Rajasthan Assembly building.
Describing the discussions as an exercise to strengthen the party in the state, Chaudhary said issues are being discussed so that the Congress retains power in the next state elections.
District-wise time has been fixed for MLAS to hold one-onone meeting with Maken, he added. After meeting Maken, Health Minister Raghu Sharma said, “Getting feedback is not a new thing in the Congress Party. This is not a new thing but a good thing. If the opinion of the common MLA reaches the party high command, then it is a good thing, which will strengthen the Congress.”
Party’s chief whip in the Assembly, Mahesh Joshi, said, “It is a tradition to keep taking such feedback. Whatever someone has in his mind, he has right to put his thoughts before party high command. It is a natural process.”
MLA Ram Niwas Gavadia told reporters that the people who helped form the government by “shedding their blood and sweat” should get representation. The MLA said he has complained about some ministers.
The Congress came to power in the state in December 2018 and has completed almost half its term. The Congress has 106 MLAS in the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly. Apart from this, the government has support of 13 independent MLAS.
Ahead of the expected Cabinet rejig, Congress general secretaries Maken and K C Venugopal had held a discussion with chief minister Ashok Gehlot last Saturday.