Rise to the occasion: Gehlot to Cong MLAs
BJP changes its MLAs’ dens in Gujarat to keep them safe
Less than a week before the special session of Rajasthan Assembly is scheduled to begin on August 14, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has written a letter to all the MLAs of the state urging them to stand with truth and save the democratically elected government of the state.
“I appeal to you all to listen to the voice of the people to save democracy and the trust of the people. Listen to the voice of your relatives and the voters of your area to make a decision to ensure an elected government continues to work in the interest of the people so that efforts to topple the government fail. I have a firm belief that you will stand with truth and provide your support to help fulfill the promise of development made to the people of the state,” the letter read.
Congress MLAs of both Gehlot and Pilot factions are put up in different hotels for over a month.
The BJP too has begun the same exercise. One more lot of 6 MLAs left for Gujarat today taking the number of MLAs being kept safe in the adjoining state to 26. While there are reports about some BJP MLAs refusing to go to Gujarat, the party has called a legislators’ meet in Jaipur on August 11 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The legislators will be staying there till the assembly session begins.
Speaking to FPJ leader of opposition Gulab Chand Kataria said, “The Congress is in depression as they do not have a majority. Some of our MLAs told us they have been contacted. Also, we had received inputs some tribal MLAs faced the risk of being attacked. Before such a situation develops, we needed to keep our team safe. This is why we have sent them to Gujarat.”
Responding to FPJ query about the BJP legislators meet he said, “I have spoken to all the MLAs and they will be present for the meet. I have also spoken to Vasundhara Raje, she is in Delhi. She will be there.”
About numbers in BJP kitty and providing support to Sachin Pilot, the LOP said, "We have 75 MLAs, 72 of our own, and 3 of our ally RLP. As for providing support to Pilot, neither has he asked for support nor have we offered.”