Ashok Gehlot on Friday said "we" will not be responsible if masses gherao Raj Bhavan (File)
Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on Friday shot off a strongly-worded letter to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who, along with his around 100 MLAs, protested at his official residence in Jaipur, demanding an urgent assembly session amid a raging political crisis. "Who should I speak to for my security?" the Governor said, reacting to the Congress leader's remark that his government will not be responsible if people of the state "gherao" Raj Bhavan
"Today, on July 24, I watched your remarks on electronic media, in which you tried to give a political colour to Constitutional requests and Constitutional decision-making. I am sad and hurt because of it," the Governor said.
"If any letter/incident that comes from you, I have to take a decision consistent with the Constitution, and I have this right," he added.
Mr Gehlot, facing a rebellion by his former deputy Sachin Pilot and around 19 Congress MLAs, on Friday demanded an assembly session "as soon as possible" and protested for more than four hours at Mr Mishra's house, accusing him of sitting on the request because he was "under pressure" to stall a test of strength. The Chief Minister submitted a list of 102 MLAs to the Governor, who asked him to send a fresh request for a session.
Unprecedented scenes were witnessed at Mr Mishra's house as the Chief Minister and the MLAs loyal to him refused to clear out the premises until there demand was met. "Call a session now...We want justice..," the MLAs chanted, sitting in the lawns.
In the presser, Mr Gehlot claimed he had called the Governor on Thursday. "I told him you must follow your conscience and preserve the decorum of your constitutional post. The people of Rajasthan are with us. If the masses surround the Raj Bhawan in protest, we will not be responsible," he told reporters.
Mr Mishra expressed his displeasure at the comment.
"Before I could discuss your proposal with experts, you made the remark that you will not be responsible if Raj Bhavan is gheraoed. If you and your home ministry can't even safeguard the Governor, what would you do to the state's law and order? Please, tell us which agency should the Governor contact for security?" he said.
Hearing Mr Pilot's and the MLAs' plea against disqualification notice sent to them under the anti-defection law, the Rajasthan High Court said on Friday that no action can be taken against the rebels as of now. The Supreme will hear the matter on Monday to decide if the Speaker can take such an action under the current circumstances in Rajasthan.
Mr Gehlot believes he has the number to prove his majority in the House and if he wins the trust vote, there can't be another for the next six months.
According to the rules, rebels can be disqualified if they vote against their party, in violation of the whip. But their votes will be counted as valid.