Rajasthan: Gehlot Writes to PM, Alleges Attempt to Overthrow Govt
Catch all the updates on the Rajasthan political crisis here.
With the political crisis in Rajasthan not showing any signs of abating, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging an attempt to topple his government, while also naming Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
"Saving lives is our priority amid the pandemic. Even at such times, attempts to topple the government are being made. In these attempts, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, other BJP leaders and some ambitious leaders of my party are involved," Gehlot was quoted as saying in his letter.
Meanwhile, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Arun Mishra would be hearing the Rajasthan Speaker's appeal against high court's decision on Thursday. Speaker CP Joshi had challenged the order of the Rajasthan HC, which 'directed' him to not take a decision on the disqualification notices till 24 July. The high court was hearing a petition filed by Sachin Pilot and 18 other rebel MLAs, and will be delivering its verdict on 24 July.
- Earlier on Wednesday, the rebel Pilot camp filed a caveat petition in SC seeking that no orders be passed on the Speaker’s petition without hearing them
- Speaker CP Joshi on Wednesday said he would file a Special Leave Petition in SC to avert what he called a “constitutional crisis” in the state
- Sachin Pilot has sent a legal notice to Congress MLA Giriraj Malinga over his horse-trading charges
- The Rajasthan crisis came to a head after Pilot was reportedly upset over receiving a notice for questioning by the Special Operations Group to investigate attempts at destabilising the government
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Sachin Pilot to Address Media Today
A day after being sacked, disgruntled Congress leader Sachin Pilot will be addressing a press conference at 10 am on Wednesday, NDTV reported.
Not Joining BJP, Still With Congress: Sachin Pilot
A day after he was sacked as the Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot told PTI that he will “not be joining the BJP.”
“I am not joining the BJP. I would like to make it clear that I have no plans to join the BJP. It is an attempt to malign me by linking me to the BJP,” Pilot, reportedly told NDTV.
Speaking to the news agency, Pilot said:
Pilot, 18 MLAs Who Skipped CLP Meet to Respond in 2 Days: Cong
Rajasthan Congress in-charge Avinash Pande said that the party has issued notices to Sachin Pilot and 18 other party members for not attending the Congress Legislative Party meetings.
“If they don't respond within two days, then it will be considered that they are withdrawing their membership from CLP,” said Pande.
'Door Not Closed For Pilot': Congress' Rajasthan In-charge
Rajasthan Congress in-charge Avinash Pande said that the party has “not closed the door” for Pilot.
Rajasthan BJP Holds Meet Amid Crisis
Rajasthan BJP President Satish Punia meets senior party leaders, amid the current political turmoil in the state, reported ANI.
AICC Dissolves District, Block Committees in Rajasthan
The AICC has dissolved all district and block Congress committees in Rajasthan, new committees to be formed soon.
Speaking Good English, Looking Handsome Isn't Everything: Ashok Gehlot
Taking a veiled dig at Sachin Pilot, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that “speaking good English and being handsome isn’t everything.”
He added that he has been in politics for 40 years, and he “loves” the new generation, the future will be theirs.
“This new generation, they have become central ministers, state presidents if they had gone through what we did in our time, they would have understoodm,” Gehlot added.
AICC Decided to Dissolve District Congress Committees and Block Congress Committees
AICC has decided to dissolve all the District Congress Committees and Block Congress Committees of Rajasthan Pradesh with immediate effect, says Avinash Pande, Rajasthan Congress In-charge.
The process of formation of new committees will begin soon, he adds.
'Come Out of BJP's Security Cover in Haryana': Cong Tells Pilot
"We've seen Sachin Pilot's statement that he won't join BJP. I'd like to tell him that if you don't want that, then immediately come out of the security cover of BJP's Haryana govt, stop all conversations with them & come back to your home in Jaipur," ANI quotes Randeep S Surjewala, Congress.
CM Gehlot Blames Pilot of Horse-Trading
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot accuses rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot of being involved in horse-trading with BJP to topple his government in the state, PTI reports.
Haryana CM ML Khattar on Congress MLAs Lodged in Manesar Hotel
"Private hotels are open for everyone, anyone can stay there. The Haryana government has no role in it," Haryana CM ML Khattar says on being asked about Rajasthan Congress MLAs staying at a hotel in Manesar, reports ANI.
'People Were Dissatisfied': Suspended Rajasthan Minister
"CM gave a statement today that money is being offered & accepted. People were dissatisfied with his pattern of work, bureaucrats dominated & lawmakers were unable to work. CM never paid heed to our demands & had a tyrannical attitude," ANI quotes Ramesh Meena who was removed as Rajasthan minister.
"Today he is saying that Crores of money is being offered and accepted. All I would like to ask him that when we were in BSP and later joined Congress, how much did he give us? He should answer that honestly," he adds.
Sachin Pilot, Others Move HC Against Disqualification Notices
Rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Thursday moved the Rajasthan High Court along with other MLAs of his camp against the disqualification notices issued by the Assembly Speaker. The court will hear the matter at 3 pm on Thursday.
Senior advocates Harish Salve and Mukul Rohatgi will be representing the Pilot camp in the court.
Abhishek Manu Singhvi to Represent Rajasthan Assembly Speaker in HC
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi will be representing the Assembly Speaker in the Rajasthan High Court, against the Sachin Pilot camp which will be represented by Harish Salve and Mukul Rohatgi.
Passed in 'Unholy Haste, Mala Fide': Plea in High Court
Passed in "Unholy Haste, mala fide", reads plea in Rajasthan High Court which seeks to quash Speaker's notice against Sachin Pilot, Congress MLAs, reports Bar & Bench.
"There was no tearing hurry. No facts have been laid out that can suggest that these 19 MLAs have left the Congress party. Thus the notice deserves to be quashed and proceeding should be stayed," it adds.
The petition also claims that all of the 19 MLAs are still with the Congress Party and none of them have given up their membership, as per Bar & Bench.
Pilot Camp Seeks Time to Amend Their Plea
Pilot camp seeks time to amend its petition challenging move to disqualify dissident MLAs from Rajasthan Assembly, PTI reports.
Harish Salve says petitioner will challenge anti-defection law enshrined in Tenth Schedule of Constitution, as per PTI.
Fresh Petition to Be Heard by HC at 1 pm on Friday
Amended petition filed by Sachin Pilot, 18 other Congress MLAs likely to be heard by Rajasthan High Court at 1 pm Friday, ANI reports.
Case Against Union Minister, Rebel Cong MLA
The Rajasthan Police has filed a case against union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and rebel Congress MLA Bhanwar Lal over allegations of bribery to topple the Ashok Gehlot-led government in Rajasthan.
“Bhanwar Lal Sharma, Gajendra Singh and Sanjay Jain have been named in the FIR. I have mentioned only Gajendra Singh, people are making guesses, Special Operations Group (SOG) will find out in the investigation,” said Mahesh Joshi, Congress chief whip.
Pilot Speaks to Chidambaram, Seeks Advise
Rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot spoke to senior party leader and former Union minister P Chidambaram on Thursday, the same day he moved Rajasthan High Court over disqualification notices.
“He spoke to me during the day yesterday. I just reiterated that the leadership had publicly invited him for a meeting and all issues can be discussed. I advised him to seize the opportunity," said Chidambaram to NDTV.
Ready To Face Any Investigation: Union Min Shekhawat
Responding to the FIR filed against him for alleged horse trading, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that he was “ready to face any investigation.”
“The audio doesn't have my voice,” he said, reported ANI.
Rajasthan HC Begins Hearing Pilot Plea Against Disqualification Notice
Rajasthan Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice Prakash Gupta begin hearing petition filed by Sachin Pilot, 18 other Congress MLAs against the disqualification notices issued to them.
Acts Outside The House Not Violation of Defection Laws: Salve
Representing the rebel MLAs, senior advocate Harish Salve argued that acts outside the House were “not violation of anti-defection law.”
Salve submitted that the petitioners raised voice to central governing body of party against "dictatorship" of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
“This is in exercise of freedom of speech of legislators and will not amount to 'defection',” he added.
Rajasthan Assembly Officials Oppose Amendments to Petition by Rebel MLAs
Rajasthan Assembly officials have opposed the amendments that Pilot and the other MLAs sought to make to their petition.
The amended petition includes new grounds for their claim that their actions shouldn't be considered grounds for disqualification under para 2 of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (ie the anti defection law).
The MLAs are trying to claim that expressing a dissenting view cannot be considered as voluntarily resigning from their political party, thereby excluding their conduct from para 2(1)(a) of the Tenth Schedule. They say that this would violate their right to freedom of speech.
If the anti defection law is such that it allows dissent to be inferred as voluntary resignation, then they argue that the law is unconstitutional.
Speaker To Take Up Disqualification of Rebel MLAs at 5 PM
Rajasthan Assembly Speaker is expected to take up at 5:00 pm the Congress party’s complaint seeking disqualification of Sachin Pilot, 18 other MLAs from the house, reported PTI
Whip Not Applicable to Meetings In Homes, Hotels: Salve
Representing the rebel MLAs, senior advocate Harish Salve said that whip was not applicable to meetings at homes and hotels.
“It only applies to proceedings within House,” said Salve for camp Sachin Pilot.
Sachin Pilot Has Not Violated Any Law: Salve
Sachin Pilot has not violated any law, argued Harish Salve, representing the rebel MLAs. He further added that the “intention” of the speaker was not clear, so he should be called in the court.
Rajasthan HC Adjourns Matter Till Monday
Rajasthan HC adjourns the hearing on the petition filed by Sachin Pilot camp till Monday, 20 July, Live Law reports.
The Speaker has been directed not to take any decision on the disqualification notices till 5 pm on 21 July.
Sanjay Jain Arrested
Sanjay Jain has been arrested by the Special Operations Group (SOG) team of Rajasthan Police, under sections 124A (sedition) and 120B (conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), reports ANI.
BJP Leader Files Complaint Against Congress Leaders Over Audio Clip, 'False Statements'
BJP leader Laxmikant Bhardwaj on Friday filed a complaint against Congress leaders Mahesh Joshi, Randeep Surjewala and others over an allegedly manufactured audio clip and 'false statements' by the Congress, ANI reported.
After Audio Clips Row, BJP Demands CBI Probe Into ‘Phone-Tapping’
Hitting back at the Congress over the Rajasthan political crisis, the BJP on Saturday demanded a CBI probe into illegalities involving alleged phone-tapping in the state. This came after two FIRs were filed by the Rajasthan Police over a purported audio clip pertaining to a conspiracy to destabilise the Rajasthan government.
"Was phone-tapping done in Rajasthan, and if so, did the state government follow the standard procedure," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra asked on Saturday on the audio clips invoked by the Congress to bolster their claim about a conspiracy to topple the government. "Is there an emergency situation in Rajasthan? Are all political parties being targeted this way?," he added.
Challenge BJP to Free 19 MLAs, They'll Return to Congress: Minister
Rajasthan Minister and Congress leader Raghu Sharma on Saturday challenged the BJP to "free" 19 MLAs, saying they will return to the Congress.
"The MLAs know that if people see them as 'sell-outs', they will not be able to face the public," he was quoted by ANI as saying.
‘People of Rajasthan Paying for Discord Within Cong’: BJP’s Vasundhara Raje
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and BJP leader Vasundhara Raje on Saturday said that "it is unfortunate that the people of Rajasthan are paying for the discord within the Congress".
Listing out the problems faced by the state, including the COVID-19 outbreak, locust attacks, crimes against women and electricity issues, Raje said, "There is no point trying to drag the BJP and the BJP leaders names through the mud! It is the interest of our people that must remain paramount!"
BJP Leaders Ashok Singh, Bharat Malani Refuse to Give Voice Samples
BJP leaders Ashok Singh and Bharat Malani refuse to give their voice samples for further investigation, reports ANI.
8-Member Team Constituted to Investigate Case Related to Rajasthan Political Crisis
An eight-member team, headed by SP Vikas Sharma of CID-CB Jaipur, has been constituted to investigate the matter related to Rajasthan political crisis which is registered at Police Station SOG in Jaipur, reports ANI.
Both BTP MLAs Hand Over Letters of Support to CM Ashok Gehlot
Both MLAs of Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) on Saturday handed over their letters of support to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
CM Gehlot Pays Visit to Governor Kalraj Mishra
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot paid a courtesy visit to Governor Kalraj Mishra at Raj Bhavan today. Gehlot said that the visit was about the efforts being made by the State Government to handle the coronavirus pandemic..
Gajendra Singh Should Resign: Ajay Maken On Horse-Trading Probe
Congress leader Ajay Maken demanded that Gajendra Singh Shekawat resign from his post as the Union Minister, and cooperate with the horse-trading probe.
“I heard that he is saying that the voice in the audiotape is not his but of another Gajendra Singh. If it is so, he should give his voice sample and step down from the post until the probe is completed,” said Congress leader Ajay Maken. He also said that the Rajasthan Police were not being allowed to collect voice samples of rebel MLAs from BJP-ruled states.
Team Gehlot Plays 'Antakshari' In Fairmont Hotel
The group of Congress MLAs supporting Ashol Gehlot were seen playing ‘antakshari,’ in Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur.
Brief Session Of Rajasthan Assembly May Be Held This Week: Report
A day after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met Governor Kalraj Mishra, quoting Congress sources PTI reported that a brief session of the state Assembly may be called this week.
The Congress, sources added, will take a call on the matter only after Tuesday, after the Rajasthan High Court takes a call on a petition filed by the Sachin Pilot camp on a disqualification notice sent by the Speaker.
'In A Position to be Kingmakers,' Says BTP
The Bharatiya Tribal Party said it was now in a position of kingmakers. “We have two MLAs in a House of 200, yet we are in the position of kingmakers,” party president Maheshbhai C Vasava told PTI on Sunday. Vasava said BTP would be extending their support to the Gehlot government after an assurance that its demands related to the development of tribal areas will be met.
Rajasthan Crisis: HC to Resume Hearing Pilot’s Plea at 10 am
Rajasthan High Court to resume hearing a writ petition filed by Sachin Pilot and 18 other dissident Congress MLAs at 10 AM on Monday, 20 July. The petition challenges the disqualification notices issued to the MLAs by the state Assembly speaker.
Rajasthan High Court Resumed Hearing on Pleas Filed by Sachin Pilot Camp
Rajasthan High Court begins hearing on pleas filed by Sachin Pilot and 18 other MLAs. Senior lawyer Abhishek Singhvi, representing Rajasthan Speaker, tells the court that the Speaker's order can be challenged only on limited grounds but those grounds aren't in the petition, reported ANI.
'Not Here to Sell Vegetables': Ashok Gehlot Takes Jibe at Sachin Pilot
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot took a jibe at his former deputy saying, “Nobody knew that a person with such an innocent face will do such thing.”
Gehlot further alleged that Pilot was conspiring with the BJP for the last 6 months. “I am not here to sell vegetables, I am the CM,” Gehlot said, as quoted by ANI.
Rajasthan Leader of Opposition Urges DGP to File FIR in Audio-Tapping Case
Rajasthan’s Leader of Opposition Gulab Chandra Kataria writes to DGP, requesting him to register an FIR on the complaint of BJP leader Laxmikant Bhardwaj against Congress leaders Mahesh Joshi, Randeep Surjewala and others over a manufactured audio clip and false statements by Congress.
Sachin Pilot Offered me Money, I Refused: Rajasthan Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Mallinga
Rajasthan Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga alleged that Sachin Pilot had offered him money to join the BJP but he refused. He further said that he had “alerted CM Ashok Gehlot ahead of Rajya Sabha polls about conspiracy to topple government”, reported PTI.
Rajasthan Crisis: HC to Hear Salve’s Arguments For Pilot at 5 PM
Advocate Harish Salve will be presenting his arguments in favour of the Pilot faction after Rajasthan High Court reassembles at 5 PM.
‘Baseless’: Pilot Rejects Cong MLA’s Charge of Offering Money
Rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Monday said he was "saddened but not surprised to be at the receiving end of baseless, vexatious allegations" being levelled against him, after Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga said he was offered money by Pilot to join the BJP, but he refused.
Malinga had also said that he had alerted CM Ashok Gehlot ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls about the conspiracy to topple the government,
"This is done solely to malign me and to stifle the legitimate concerns I raised against the Rajasthan party leadership, as member and MLA of Congress. This attempt further aims at defaming me and attacking my credibility. The narrative is being redirected to avoid addressing the main issue," Pilot told news agency ANI. He further said that he will be taking legal action against the MLA who made the allegations.
After Salve's Arguments, Rajasthan HC Adjourns Hearing Till 10:30 am on Tuesday
The Rajasthan High Court has adjourned till 10:30 am on Tuesday the hearing on the plea by the Pilot camp against the disqualification notices issued by the Speaker.
The hearing was adjourned after senior advocate made rejoinder submissions for the petitioners, wherein he said that a mere act of inner-party indiscipline cannot be regarded as giving up of party membership, reported LiveLaw.
In the present case, the fundamental point is that the Speaker had no jurisdiction to issue notice on the complaint of the Congress Whip, Salve reportedly said, adding issuance of such a notice for inner-party dissent is a violation of the freedom of speech of the legislator.
Rajasthan HC Defers Verdict Till 24 July, Gehlot to Hold Cabinet Meeting
Rajasthan High Court will deliver its verdict on Sachin Pilot camp's plea on 24 July. While setting the next date for hearing, the court, on Tuesday, 21 July, said the Speaker cannot act on the disqualification notices until the verdict is out.
Meanwhile, reports said Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot will be holding a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday afternoon, likely to discuss the convening of the next Assembly session at the earliest.
Speaker Postpones Further Course of Action Till 24 July Evening
Soon after the high court's decision, the Rajasthan Assembly Secretariat said that Speaker CP Joshi has postponed the further course of action in connection with the disqualification notices till the evening of 24 July, reported ANI. The Speaker was at the Vidhan Sabha to discuss the court's decision with the state Assembly secretary.
Sachin Pilot Sends Legal Notice to Cong MLA Giriraj Malinga: Report
Sachin Pilot has sent a legal notice to Congress MLA Giriraj Malinga over his horse-trading charges, sources cited by PTI said late on Tuesday.
Will Move SC to Avert Constitutional Crisis in Rajasthan: Speaker
A day after the Sachin Pilot camp got a breather from the Rajasthan High Court, Assembly Speaker CP Joshi on Wednesday 22 July, said that he will file a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court to avert what he called a constitutional crisis in the state.
"The Speaker (of the Assembly) holds the right to disqualify MLAs. No one can interfere in the Speaker's decision," Joshi told the media.
Sachin Pilot Files Caveat Petition in Supreme Court
Hours after Rajasthan Speaker approached the Supreme Court amid the ongoing political tussle in the state, rebel Congress MLA Sachin Pilot also filed a caveat petition in the top court seeking no orders be passed on the Speaker's petition without hearing them.
SC to Hear Speaker’s Appeal Against HC Order Tomorrow
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Arun Mishra would be hearing the Rajasthan Speaker's appeal against high court's decision on Thursday, 23 July.
The other judges on the bench are Justices BR Gavai and Krishna Murari.
Gehlot Writes to PM Modi on 'Attempt to Topple' State Govt
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has written a letter to PM Narendra Modi, alleging an attempt to topple his government, while naming Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
"Saving lives is our priority amid the pandemic. Even at such times, attempts to topple the government are being made. In these attempts, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, other BJP leaders and some ambitious leaders of my party are involved," Gehlot was quoted as saying in his letter.
Pilot Camp Calls for Centre to be Made Party Respondent to Writ Petition in HC
Sachin Pilot and 18 other rebel Congress MLAs have filed a petition before the Rajasthan High Court, calling for the Union of India, through a secretary in the Ministry of Law and Justice, to be made a party respondent to the writ petition “in the interest of justice and law", reported ANI.