Cong says 109 MLAS supporting Gehlot; Pilot, others invited in today’s meet
NEW DELHI: The suspense over the fate of the Congress government in Rajasthan
led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot continues despite him claiming of having the support of 109 MLAS as Sachin Pilot camp asserted that they have enough numbers to topple the state government.
Despite Pilot’s claims, the Chief Minister was “comfortable” after the Rajasthan Congress Legislature Party (CLP) supported the Gehlot-led government by passing a resolution during their crucial meeting on Monday wherein 109 MLAS, both from the Congress and those supporting it, were present.
Though there is no confirmation by the party about the number of MLAS present in the meeting, it’s been claimed that Gehlot flaunted at least 100 MLAS and maintained that he has enough numbers to rebuff any threat to his government from his deputy.
The Congress party, meanwhile, has scheduled another
legislative party meet at 10 am on Tuesday and invited Pilot and all the MLAS to attend. As a precautionary measure to avoid a Madhya Pradeshlike situation, Gehlot moved all MLAS in buses from his home straight to a resort in Jaipur. In a move to mollify Pilot, Surjewala said: “Differences in a family can be resolved within the family. Pilot and other MLAS should come and discuss their grievances at party forums. When a member of the family gets annoyed, he does not make the family fall but sits with family members and resolves the issue.”
Surjewala further added that Pilot and his supporters were still welcome to attend it and doors are open for him and his supporters.
As Surjewala claimed that senior party leaders are in touch with Pilot, the latter denied having any such conversation with any Congress leader, including former party president Rahul Gandhi. Though, sources close to Rahul said the two leaders “have great affection and respect for each other” and speak often, directly. Meanwhile, the resolution, which was aimed at targeting Pilot and his close aides, recommended strong disciplinary action against any Congress MLA and office-bearer who “weakens” the party.
The Congress’ split approach was reflected in the drama at the party’s headquarters in Jaipur, where posters of Pilot were taken down in the morning and later put up again. Meanwhile, Pilot, who is camping at a hotel near Delhi with a few MLAS, insisted that Gehlot had lost his majority
and his claim of 109 MLAS was greatly exaggerated. He also denied any move to join the BJP. The Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP), who had earlier supported Gehlot, issued a letter to its two MLAS to abstain in the event of a trust vote in the Assembly.
According to sources, 20 MLAS, including Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, did not attend the CLP. Apart from Pilot, Ved Solanki, Rakesh Parik, Murari Lal Meena, JR Khatana, Indraj Gurjar, Gajendra
Singh Shaktavat, Hareesh Meena, Deependra Singh Shekhawat, Bhanwar Lal Sharma, Gajraj Khatana, Vijedra Ola, Hemaram Choudhary, PR Meena, Ramesh Meena, Vishvendra Singh, Mukesh Bhakar, Suresh Modi, Virendra Choudhary and Amar Singh Jatav were not present at the meeting. Rajasthan Food and Civil Supplies minister Ramesh Meena has come in support of Pilot, while Virendra Choudhary met Rajasthan Congress in-charge Avinash Pande and party leaders Randeep Surjewala and Ajay Maken on Monday evening.
The BJP, which has 73 MLAS, needs the support of another 35 to take power in Rajasthan and offering Pilot the CM post as he wants will be a challenge since the party has to consider its own Rajasthan powerhouse, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.
In a related development, two of Gehlot’s aides were raided by taxmen in what the Congress alleged was pressure tactics by the Bjp-led government at the Centre. Five premises linked to the two leaders were raided over allegations of “tax evasion”, said officials at the Income Tax Department.