Rajasthan Political Crisis Highlights: Governor Not Convening Assembly, "Pressure From Above", Says Ashok Gehlot

Rajasthan Political Crisis: Sachin Pilot claims to have support of 18 MLAs.

A late night cabinet meeting in Rajasthan at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's residence has concluded. In the meeting, an approval has been given for the proposal to call the assembly session. The proposal will be sent to the Rajasthan governor again.

Earlier in the day, Ashok Gehlot said he had requested an assembly session from Monday and accused Governor Kalraj Mishra of delaying his decision because he was "under pressure from the top" to stall a test of strength. "We requested him to call a session in a letter yesterday and we waited all night, but there was no response. It is beyond comprehension what kind of forces would compel him to delay such a simple process," the Chief Minister said, alleging a BJP conspiracy.

To build pressure, the Chief Minister and around 100 Congress MLAs drove to the Governor's House in buses for a show of strength. "Gehlot keep fighting, we are with you. Call a session," the MLAs chanted as they waited for the Governor inside the Raj Bhawan.

"We have a clear majority and we want the assembly to start from Monday. Doodh ka doodh aur pani ka pani ho jayega (everything will be crystal clear)," Mr Gehlot told the media before heading to the Governor's house.

The Rajasthan High Court has said that no action can be taken against Sachin Pilot and other rebel Congress leaders for now, giving a major reprieve for the rebel  leaders in the disqualification case. The court said there will be "status quo" until its decision on the rebels' petition against disqualification notices.

The verdict, which was expected today, has been delayed after the court accepted team Pilot's eleventh-hour request to add the centre to the case so it can weigh in on whether the anti-defection law applies to them.

The rebels have argued in court that such notices cannot be served by a Speaker when the assembly is not in session. They have challenged a rule that allows the Speaker to disqualify members if they have "voluntarily given up the party's membership". They say they do not intend to quit the Congress; they only want a change in the leadership.

The Speaker had attempted to get the High Court verdict blocked in the Supreme Court, but the top court refused to intervene, saying it would take up the case again on Monday. But the High Court ruling will be subject to the final order of the Supreme Court.

Here are the highlights on Rajasthan Political Crisis:

Jul 25, 2020 00:23 (IST)

Rahul Gandhi: Rajasthan Governor Must Call Assembly Session, BJP Conspiracy Clear
The Rajasthan Governor must call an assembly session to let the Congress prove its majority, party leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said, alleging that the BJP's conspiracy to topple the Ashok Gehlot government was now clear."

Jul 24, 2020 17:57 (IST)

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot addresses the media after meeting Governor:

Ashok Gehlot addresses the media. Main pointers:

• The issue could have been easily sorted last evening. What is the reason that it is not done? Even in today's meeting I have requested that it be allowed (assembly session).
• The state cabinet has decided to call for an assembly session. The governor must accept this - that is the norm.
• We are all here, waiting, hoping that it be done soonest.
• Our colleagues have been kept captive in a resort in Haryana. There is no way to get in touch with them. No one can approach them.
• We follow Mahatma Gandhi ji and his teachings, and hence we will sit here peacefully, in hope that the assembly sessin be called soonest.
• The governor - Kalraj Mishra ji is a respected person. Both government and opposition respects him... Kalraj Mishra ji is respected both in Rajasthan and in Delhi... we hope he will make the right decision soon.
• There is no question on him coming under any pressure. As we all know that the governor is a constitutional post and there can be no pressure on the governor.
• This is all a BJP conspiracy and in the end we will see that the truth alone will triumph.
• Another thing that I want to point out is that in such a situation, it is usually the opposition that insists for a trust vote to prove numbers in the house, but here it is unique, the government of the day themselves are calling for a trust vote to prove their numbers.

Jul 24, 2020 17:39 (IST)

Kapil Sibal To Sachin Pilot: You Can't Make The Party A Public Tamasha
You can't be Chief Minister of a state with the support of just 20-25 legislators, Congress leader Kapil Sibal told party rebel Sachin Pilot through a news conference on Friday, hours after the sacked Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister scored a temporary reprieve at the high court. "You can't make party a tamasha (grand show) before the public," Mr Sibal said.

Jul 24, 2020 16:16 (IST)

Rajasthan Political Crisis: 5 Big Issues Rajasthan Verdict On Sachin Pilot Will Address
In his case against his own party, Sachin Pilot has sought to nullify attempts to disqualify him and 18 other MLAs from the legislature. The Rajasthan High Court today banned any action against him for now. It has not indicated when it will hear the matter. Mr Pilot's party, the Congress, has already asked the Supreme Court to consider its petition - that no court can intervene before the Speaker of the House has taken the decision. In this case, the Congress argues, the Speaker has not yet decided whether he will move to disqualify Team Pilot. He has only asked them to explain why they disobeyed party orders to attend meetings chaired by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot who was Mr Pilot's boss till recently.

Jul 24, 2020 15:51 (IST)

Ashok Gehlot's MLAs, Waiting To Meet Governor, Shout Slogans

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot landed up at the Governor's House with at least 100 Congress MLAs this afternoon, escalating pressure on Governor Kalraj Mishra to call an assembly session.

Scores of MLAs were seen sitting on the lawns of the Raj Bhawan and shouting slogans as they waited for the Governor. Many of the MLAs milled around the house, looking determined for a stake-out until the situation went their way.

Ashok Gehlot said he had written to the Governor asking for an assembly session from Monday. He is keen to face a trust vote while he has the numbers.

"House bulao, house bulao (call the assembly, call the assembly," the MLAs shouted, in a series of slogans.

The other chants were: "Gehlot keep fighting, we are with you" and "Justice is our mantra".

The Chief Minister was seen walking among the slogan-shouting MLAs.

Jul 24, 2020 15:12 (IST)

Congress MLAs wait in the garden at Raj Bhawan while Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot meets the Governor.

Jul 24, 2020 14:52 (IST)

Congress MLAs supporting Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on way to Raj Bhawan to meet Governor Kalraj Mishra. 

Jul 24, 2020 08:43 (IST)

Rajasthan Crisis: Can Team Sachin Pilot Be Disqualified? High Court Verdict At 10:30 AM Today: 10 Points

Sachin Pilot and other rebel Congress leaders will find out today whether they can be disqualified by the Speaker as the Rajasthan High Court pronounces its verdict on their petition a day after the Supreme Court said the "voice of dissent" cannot be suppressed in a democracy. The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to stop the High Court from delivering its verdict, which is likely to impact the revolt-hit Congress government in Rajasthan. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot yesterday said he was confident of his majority and an assembly session would be called soon."