In a big twist in political developments in Rajasthan, 92 MLAs of the Ashok Gehlot loyalists threatened to resign. After hours of this high-drama, however, they left the speaker's home and went home.
Meanwhile, the key meeting of MLAs will be held on a later date, sources said
A mass resignation can bring down the strength of the house to 108 where the halfway mark will be at 55. The BJP has 70 MLAs.
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, meanwhile, has asked central observers to meet Team Gehlot MLAs to resolve the crisis.
These MLAs have reached the residence of Assembly speaker CP Joshi in Jaipur.
Earlier, the MLAs considered close to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met at the home of Cabinet Minister Shanti Dhariwal where the next Chief Minister is expected to be named.
In the meeting, the Gehlot loyalists raised the issue of Sachin Pilot's rebellion in 2020 and said the Chief Minister must be from among those who supported the government at the time.
Here are the Highlights on the political developments in Rajasthan:
High drama unfolded in Rajasthan as a group of Congress MLAs loyal to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot reached Speaker C P Joshi's residence earlier on Sunday to submit their resignation ahead of a legislature party meeting which was called to decide on his successor.
Just In: Sonia Gandhi asks senior party leaders to meet Team Gehlot MLAs individually amid deepening Congress crisis
As more than 90 Rajasthan Congress MLAs loyal to him threatened to resign tonight, Ashok Gehlot reportedly told the party's central leadership that it was "not in his hands".
The MLAs met with the Speaker and claimed they will resign if Ashok Gehlot's rival Sachin Pilot is made Chief Minister.
"Everyone who has anything to do with politics in the country knows that Gehlot ji never wanted to be Congress president," said Sunil Jakhar, BJP leader and former Punjab Congress chief.
Congress MLAs have arrived at the residence of Assembly speaker CP Joshi in Jaipur.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had expressed their willingness to contest for the party's topmost position. He said, "It's decided that I'll contest (for the post of Congress President). I'll fix the date soon (to file his nomination). There's the need for the Opposition to be strong, looking at the current position of the country.
Rajasthan | Congress MLAs arrive at the residence of Assembly speaker CP Joshi in Jaipur#RajasthanPoliticalCrisis pic.twitter.com/VHjGsJYP8H
- ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2022
Huge Rajasthan Congress Crisis As 80+ Team Gehlot MLAs Threaten To Quit https://t.co/5VfPYeivhR
- NDTV (@ndtv) September 25, 2022
NDTV's Harsha Kumari Singh reports pic.twitter.com/gM2AEj1vIO
Jaipur, Rajasthan | CM Gehlot should pay heed to the suggestions of MLAs. We have 92 MLAs with us: Congress leader Pratap Singh Khachariyawas https://t.co/S2kD4ooEDQ pic.twitter.com/H4JYI6TPwr
- ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) September 25, 2022
Jaipur, Rajasthan: All the MLAs are angry & are resigning. We are going to the speaker for that. MLAs are upset that how can CM Ashok Gehlot take a decision without consulting them: Pratap Singh Khachariyawas pic.twitter.com/xUFlx3lUPV
- ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) September 25, 2022
#UPDATE | Over 90 #AshokGehlot camp MLAs set to resign.
- NDTV (@ndtv) September 25, 2022
Jaipur, Rajasthan | A bus arrives outside the residence of Congress MLA Shanti Dhariwal where a meeting of Congress MLAs was held pic.twitter.com/IHUxjoFI3H
- ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) September 25, 2022
Congress leader Sachin Pilot has left for Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's home for key meeting
"There's a tradition in Congress since the beginning - whenever there's a Legislative party meet, we pass a one-line resolution to give rights to Congress president. This will happen today as well": Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot | reported by news agency ANI pic.twitter.com/ArGCPdOkGV
- NDTV (@ndtv) September 25, 2022
