‘Gratitude’: Sachin Pilot Thanks Supporters After Being Sacked
Catch all the updates on the Rajasthan political crisis here.
Amid mounting political tensions in Rajasthan, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala on Tuesday, 14 July, announced that the party has removed Sachin Pilot from the post of deputy chief minister of the state. Pilot was also removed as Rajasthan Congress chief and Govind Singh Dotasra appointed in his place.
Pilot took to Twitter to respond to his sacking and said, “Truth can be disturbed but not defeated.” Later, in another tweet, he thanked his supporters saying "My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all those who have come out in my support today."
Meanwhile, CM of the state, Ashok Gehlot has blamed the BJP for the crisis saying, "There is nothing in Sachin Pilot's hands, it is the BJP which is running the show."
This comes after at least 102 MLAs of the Congress party from Rajasthan demanded action against Pilot, after he skipped the second Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Jaipur on Tuesday, reported ANI, quoting sources.
- A video was reportedly released by Sachin Pilot’s office late on Monday showing the MLAs supporting him
- Reports have suggested that Pilot was upset over receiving a notice for questioning by the Special Operations Group of Police to investigate attempts at destabilising the government
- The Congress has 107 seats in the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly, along with support from some Independents and other parties’ MLAs
- Reports suggest that Sachin Pilot has support of at least 20 MLAs, with this, Congress government is on the brink in Rajasthan
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'109 MLAs Have Signed Letter of Support for Gehlot Govt': State Congress In-Charge
Amid the political crisis in Rajasthan, stemming from rebellion by Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, the state Congress in-charge Avinash Pande said early on Monday that 109 MLAs have signed a letter expressing their trust and support to the government led by CM Ashok Gehlot.
"A whip has been issued to all party MLAs to be mandatorily present at the Congress Legislature Party meeting to be held (at 10:30 am on Monday)... Strict disciplinary action will be taken against any MLA who is absent without mentioning personal or special reason," he added.
KC Venugopal to be in Jaipur Today Amid Govt Crisis
Congress leader KC Venugopal will be in Jaipur, where the legislature party meeting will be held on Monday morning amid crisis in the government.
'BJP Won't Be Successful in Attempts to Topple the Govt': Congress MLA
Ahead of the crucial Congress Legislative Party meeting on Monday, party MLA Mahender Chaudhary said that the BJP will not be successful in its attempts to topple the government in Rajasthan.
"All our Congress MLAs and our alliance MLAs are with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. All of them will be attending the meeting of Congress Legislative Party today," he was quoted by ANI as saying.
Rajasthan Crisis: Key Congress Meet Underway
A key meeting of the Congress Legislature Party is underway at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's residence in Jaipur. According to sources cited by ANI, more than 90 MLAs are at the CM's residence for the meeting.
I-T Raids Underway at Rajasthan Congress Members’ Offices, Homes
Amid the Rajasthan government crisis, the Income Tax Department on Monday conducted raids at the residences and offices of Congress members Dharmendra Rathore and Rajiv Arora in the state.
Searches are also underway in several locations in Delhi and Mumbai.
According to news agency ANI, the searches are being done on tax evasion complaints against a Rajasthan-based jewellery group.
Read the full story here.
Doors for Pilot Will Remain Open: Congress' Surjewala
The Congress on Monday said that the doors for Sachin Pilot and his aides were and will remain open, a day after the Rajasthan government plunged into crisis with the Deputy Chief Minister's rebellion.
“If anyone is upset in family, they should find a solution by sitting with members of the family... On behalf of the Congress leadership, including Sonia ji and Rahul ji, I convey that the doors of Congress party are always open for Sachin ji or any member,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala was quoted as saying.
Pointing out that the Congress leadership has spoken to Sachin Pilot a number of times about the political situation over the last 48 hours, Surjewala added, "If anyone has any problem, they must come forward and mention the issue on the party forum. We will work to resolve it together and keep our government intact in the state."
Ashok Gehlot, Other Congress Leaders Show Victory Signs
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, along with other Congress MLAs and leaders, showed victory signs as they gathered at the CM's residence in Jaipur on Monday.
107 MLAs Present at Congress Meeting in Jaipur: Report
As many as 107 MLAs are present at the Congress Legislature Party meeting in Jaipur, CM Ashok Gehlot's media advisor has told news agency ANI.
'All is Well': Congress MLA After CLP Meeting
Buses, carrying MLAs, leave from the residence of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot after the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting concluded. One of the MLAs says, "All is well," ANI reports.
CLP Passes Resolution Supporting Gehlot
Rajasthan Congress Legislature Party passes resolution supporting Ashok Gehlot-led government, PTI reports.
"This ripping off of democracy by BJP is an insult to 8 crore people of Rajasthan, they'll not accept it. CLP meet expresses its confidence in Congress President Sonia Gandhi & leader Rahul Gandhi, & unanimously supports the govt led by Ashok Gehlot," reads the resolution.
"Strong disciplinary action should be taken against any Congress MLA, office bearer who weakens party," it adds.
Rahul Gandhi & Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Touch With Pilot
Top Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, are in touch with Sachin Pilot and are trying to placate him, PTI reports citing sources.
MLAs Taken to Hotel After Meeting
Rajasthan Congress MLAs board buses apparently heading towards a hotel after their meeting at CM Ashok Gehlot’s official residence, PTI reports.
MLAs Reach Hotel After Meeting
MLAs arrive at Hotel Fairmont in Jaipur, after attending Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's residence, ANI reports.
Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Ramesh Meena For Pilot
"I am with Sachin Pilot," Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Ramesh Meena tells ANI.
BTP Asks 2 MLAS to Abstain
Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) issues letter to its two MLAs to abstain in the event of a trust vote in the assembly, ANI reports. These two MLAs had earlier supported the Ashok Gehlot led government in Rajasthan.
Cong MLA Says Party Has Majority
"There is no number game. The state govt had the majority, it still has the majority. We have more than the required number. We have 109 MLAs with us," Rajasthan Congress MLA Danish Abrar tells ANI.
Another Congress Legislative Party on Tuesday
With a majority of 109 for the Congress Government in Rajasthan under Ashok Gehlot, all our MLAs gave their support letter, says Randeep Surjewala, Congress as per ANI.
"They have failed BJP's attempts," he adds.
"To discuss political situation, another Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meet will be held here at 10 am on Tuesday. We request Sachin Pilot & all MLAs to come, we'll also give them in writing. We've requested them to come & discuss the situation," ANI quotes his as saying.
'Everything Except Red Flag is Accepted in Party': Singhvi
"Sachin Pilot may have genuine grievances but where I draw a red flag is that if you try to topple a govt or hurt your own Congress party. I think everything except that red flag is accepted in party. It's a capacious party. I urge, request, beg him to exercise that right," says Abhishek Singhvi as per ANI.
Pilot's Office Releases Video of MLAs in His Camp
Congress MLAs Inder Raj Gurjar, PR Meena, GR Khatana, and Harish Meena among others, at a hotel in Manesar, showing support to Pilot, ANI reports.
Giving 2nd Chance to Pilot, Have Asked Him to Attend Meet: Rajasthan Cong In-Charge
Ahead of the second Legislature Party meeting of the Congress on Tuesday, state party in-charge Avinash Pande told ANI that they are giving a second chance to Deputy CM Sachin Pilot, and have asked him to attend the meeting.
"I hope today all MLAs come and give solidarity to the leadership, and for which the people of Rajasthan voted. We all want to work for the development of the state," he was quoted as saying.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Chidambaram, Others Have Spoken to Pilot: Sources
With the stalemate continuing in the Rajasthan Congress after Sachin Pilot's rebellion, sources cited by ANI on Tuesday said that party leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Ahmed Patel, P Chidambaram and KC Venugopal have spoken to the Deputy CM several times, but the possibility of him attending the CLP meet on Tuesday seems bleak.
The CLP meeting is being conducted again and again to send messages to Sachin Pilot that there's still time for him to come. The party's top leadership still has the flexibility for him. A decision will be taken after today's meeting over further course of action, the sources said.
Second Congress Legislature Party Meet Begins
Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting begins at Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur. Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot has skipped the meet, say media reports.
BJP Not Demanding Floor Test Right Now: Rajasthan Party President
Rajasthan BJP President Satish Punia said that while Congress has been claiming that their leaders are united but it's “clear that there are internal disputes.”
“Sachin Pilot had to leave the party after facing humiliation. At present, we are not demanding floor test,” said Punia to ANI.
102 MLAs Demand Removal of Pilot From Party: Report
The 102 MLAs present at the ongoing Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting at Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur have unanimously demanded that Sachin Pilot be removed from the party, reported ANI, quoting sources.
Sachin Pilot Removed As Rajasthan Deputy CM, Announces Cong
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala on Tuesday, 14 July, announced that the party has removed Sachin Pilot from the post of deputy chief minister of Rajasthan, amid mounting political tensions in the state. Pilot was also removed as Rajasthan Congress chief and Govind Singh Dotasra has been appointed in his place.
The party had earlier said that strict action will be taken against those who skipped the meet.
Vishvender Singh and Ramesh Meena have also been removed as ministers.
BTP Leader Accuses Police Of Holding Him Hostage
Bhartiya Tribal Party’s Rajkumar Roat released a video claiming that the Rajasthan Police have taken his car and held him in a “hostage-like situation.”
Gehlot Meets Rajasthan Governor
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met Governor Kalraj Mishra, at Raj Bhawan in Jaipur, following the Congress Legislature Party meet.
Truth Can Be Disturbed, Not Defeated: Sachin Pilot
Rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot tweeted that “truth can be disturbed but not defeated,” minutes after being removed as the Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan.
Priyanka Arrives At Sonia Gandhi's Residence Amid Rajasthan Power Tussle
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi reaches 10, Janpath to meet party president Sonia Gandhi.
Sachin Pilot Removes 'Congress' From Twitter Bio
'Not Pilot, BJP Running the Show': Rajasthan CM Gehlot
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot says, "There is nothing in Sachin Pilot's hands, it is the BJP which is running the show. BJP has arranged that resort and they are managing everything. The same team which worked in Madhya Pradesh is at work here," ANI reports.
"The attitude was similar to the saying 'aa bail mujhe maar' given the tweets & statements of last few months... I've been impartial to all MLAs...no one is happy about the decisions & we tried to reach out but hobnobbing with BJP has taken place," he adds.
State Cabinet Meeting to Be Held at Gehlot's Residence at 7.30 pm
State cabinet meeting to be held at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's residence at 7:30 pm on Tuesday and meeting of Council of Ministers at 8:00 pm, ANI reports.
'Wanted to Get High Command's Attention to Promises in Manifesto': Sacked Raj Minister
Ex Rajasthan Minister Vishvendra Singh who was dropped along with Sachin Pilot on Tuesday says, "What anti-party statement did we make? We only wanted to get high command's attention to promises in our manifesto as we haven't been able to deliver them in close to 2 years of being in power. For what fault was action taken?" ANI reports.
59 Office Bearers of Tonk Unit of Congress Tender Their Resignations
59 office bearers of Tonk unit of Congress party in Rajasthan tender their resignations in protest against the removal of Sachin Pilot as the Deputy CM and Rajasthan PCC Chief, ANI reports.
State Cabinet Meeting to Be Held at CM's Residence
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, along with state ministers, leave from Fairmont Hotel for his residence, ANI reports.
State cabinet meeting to be held at CM's residence at 7:30 pm and meeting of Council of Ministers at 8:00 pm on Tuesday.
Sachin Pilot Thanks Supporters
Sachin Pilot tweets, "My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all those who have come out in my support today."
BJP Held Meeting at Party Office in Rajasthan
BJP held a meeting on Tuesday at their party office in Rajasthan over the current political situation in the state, ANI reports.
Party's state president Satish Poonia and party leaders Om Mathur, Gulab Chand Kataria & Rajendra Rathore were present at the meeting, as per the news agency.
'No Place for Ability in Congres': Scindia
BJP's Jyotiraditya Scindia says, "In present circumstances, there is no place for ability in the Congress party. This can be seen in every state," ANI reports.
Cong About to Be Unseated in Rajasthan: Union Min
Congress lost power in MP, it is about to be unseated in Rajasthan, says Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, claims MVA government in Maharashtra, too, will not last long, PTI reports.