The dark clouds hovering over the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan seem to have dissipated on now.
After a fast-paced Monday, it seems like Gehlot has managed to fight off bids to topple his government made by Deputy CM Sachin Pilot, who still remains defiant.
Pilot, on Sunday, had claimed that he has the support of over 30 of 107 Congress MLAs in the 200-member assembly.
From Gehlot claiming he has a majority to leading Congress MLAs to hotels in Jaipur, the political script in Rajasthan is mirroring those seen in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat in recent times.
Here is all that happened in the Rajasthan political crisis on Monday:
1. At the Congress legislature party meeting held at Gehlot’s official residence in Jaipur, a total of 109 MLAs (104 in person, five letters of support) expressed support for Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot.
2. A resolution adopted at the Congress Legislature Party meeting urged “strong disciplinary action” against any party office-bearer or CLP member who does anything to weaken the government or the party. The resolution, however, did not name Sachin Pilot.
3. Soon after the CLP meeting, the Congress MLAs were packed into buses headed for Fairmont Hotel on the outskirts of Jaipur, making it clear that the crisis is not over.
4. The Congress also adopted a conciliatory tone, saying Sachin Pilot and other MLAs can return to the party and will be welcomed back with open arms.
5. Sources said Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former party chief Rahul Gandhi and UP general secretary Priyanka Gandhi were in touch with Sachin Pilot who is upset since he was denied the Rajasthan chief minister’s post after the December 2018 assembly elections.
6. Hours before the CLP meeting, Income Tax officials searched premises in Jaipur said to be linked to local party leaders Rajiv Arora and Dharmendra Rathore (considered close to Ashok Gehlot), an action criticised by the Congress.
7. Addressing a press conference before the meeting, AICC spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said differences in a family can be resolved within the family, suggesting that Pilot and other MLAs should come and discuss their grievances at party forums.
8. While Congress claims it has spoken to Sachin Pilot several times in the past 72 hours, aides of the Deputy CM rejected such claims. They said that Sachin Pilot has not presented any conditions for a compromise or spoken to the party high command.
9. Members of the Sachin Pilot camp have also rejected Ashok Gehlot’s claim of support from 109 MLAs. Sources close to Sachin Pilot said that Gehlot only has the support of 84 Rajasthan MLAs.
10. Asked about speculations that the BJP may support the Pilot camp from outside, party state president Satish Poonia said that “we have all options open” and a decision would be taken based on how the situation evolves and as per the directions of the central leadership.
CONGRESS FACES TURBULENCE OVER PILOT’S TAKE-OFF
The current crisis began Friday night when the Rajasthan Police sent a notice to Pilot, asking him to record his statement over an alleged attempt to bring down the government.
The same notice was sent to the chief minister and some other MLAs, but Pilot’s supporters claimed that it was only meant to humiliate him.
The notices were sent after police tapped the phone conversation of two men allegedly talking about toppling the Congress government.
In the 200-member assembly, the Congress has 107 MLAs and the BJP 72. In the past, the ruling party has claimed the support of 13 independents, two MLAs each from the CPM and the Bharatiya Tribal Party, and one from the Rashtriya Lok Dal.
The Congress had rushed Pande, Surjewala and Ajay Maken to Jaipur as observers at the meeting, amid a power tussle between its two Rajasthan leaders.
The party had issued a whip ahead of the CLP meeting, indicating disciplinary action against any MLA who failed to turn up.
In a statement, Pilot, however, had made clear that he would not attend the meeting. He also claimed that he had the support of over 30 Congress MLAs and some independents.
