NOTICES TO 19 MLAs INDICATE SOME FROM PILOT’S CAMP WANT TO GO OUT

In a major development amid the political crisis in Rajasthan on Wednesday, the state Assembly issued notices to 19 MLAs including former deputy chief minister and PCC chief Sachin Pilot for violating the party whip to attend the Congress Legislative Party meet on two consecutive days. The notices were sent to the MLAs through WhatsApp, email and also pasted outside their homes.

The MLAs were told to appear in person at the state Assembly by July 17 and explain their position. The notices were sent by the secretary of the State Assembly.

While there was no reaction from the Pilot camp about the notices, the BJP was citing legality of the notices. Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria said, “The whip can be issued only for a party meet held on the Assembly premises. For a meeting at any other location, the whip is not effective.”

According to senior advocate AK Jain, “As per Schedule 10 of the Constitution, a person who votes or abstains from voting against the direction of the party or person authorised by party shall be disqualified. The CLP

cannot be termed as a proper meeting.”

Sources said some MLAs putting up in Manesar resorts in Haryana communicated to the Gehlot faction that they wished to return. It was being seen as a response to the notices. Surjewala’s statements where he advised Pilot to get the MLAs out of the grips off the Haryana Police and back to Jaipur was being taken as a proof of same.

At the same time, Bayana MLA Amar Singh Jatav’s family alleged he had been missing for the last five days and his phone was switched off. They said they were concerned about his safety.