NEW DELHI: The Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan moved a confidence motion in the state assembly on Friday. The session, which began today, comes days after
and other rebel Congress MLAs returned to the party fold following a truce brokered by the top Congress leadership in Delhi.
Here is a look at the top developments —
1Congress wins trust vote; Assembly adjourned
Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan government won the trust vote in the Rajasthan assembly on Friday. Rajasthan government won the vote of confidence by voice vote in the state assembly. The house has been adjourned.
The Rajasthan assembly will now reconvene on August 21.
2How Numbers stack up
The Rajasthan assembly has a strength of 200. The Congress appears to be in a comfortable majority with 107 seats, including six MLAs who defected from BSP.
It also has the support of five allies and 10 independent MLAs.
3Three hour long debate on confidence motion in Rajasthan Assembly begins
Rajasthan's Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Kumar Dhariwal on Friday tabled a proposal for a trust vote, in the state assembly. Speaker Dr CP Joshi accepted the proposal for discussion and allotted three hours time for the debate.
Replying to the debate on the motion, Dhariwal blamed the Centre for trying to "topple" the governments in Madhya Pradesh, Manipur and Goa, using money and power, but said a similar attempt in Rajasthan would not succeed. Referring to Akbar, he said the Mughal emperor had to taste defeat in Mewar of Rajasthan during his quest to expand his empire. Similarly, BJP's attempts to topple the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government were defeated, he added.
Sources said that the Speaker can allow voting on the same day if the CM requests for it despite the Opposition seeking more time.
4Ashok Gehlot speaks during debate on confidence motion
"You (BJP) conspired against breaking our government. I will not let Rajasthan govt collapse at any cost. Even during the pandemic, the opposition's mission to topple government continues. What you did in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Manipur. You have no concern over whether democracy is in danger. Are agencies like ED, CBI and Income Tax department not being misused in the country?," said Gehlot.
The chief minister said that he is satisfied with the performance of MLAs and the public has liked the work done by them.
5Pilot assures complete cooperation to Gehlot govt
Former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot and his 18 MLAs attended the Congress Legislative Party and assured complete cooperation to the Gehlot government in the assembly.
"Today took part in the meeting of the Legislature Party with fellow MLAs, including Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot ji, Organization General Secretary KC Venugopal ji, In-charge Avinash Pande ji, state president Govind Singh Dotasra ji. We are determined to act in the interest of the people of Rajasthan and in accordance with the promises made. (sic)," Sachin Pilot tweeted.
Before the meeting, Gehlot and Pilot met for 30 minutes behind closed doors. Only top leaders KC Venugopal, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Ajay Maken, Avinash Pande and PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra permitted in the room.
6The BSP threat
The Bahujan Samaj Party on Friday night issued whip again through its national general secretary Satish Chandra Misra to the six MLAs who merged with Congress last year, directing them to vote against the ruling party in case of “any No Confidence Motion” or face disqualification under constitution’s Schedule X.
7Suspension of two Congress MLAs revoked
The Congress on Thursday revoked the suspension of two of its MLAs before the CLP meeting at the chief minister’s residence.
“After a consultative discussion, the suspension of Rajasthan Congress MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma and Vishvendra Singh is hereby revoked,” party in-charge Avinash Pande tweeted.
On July 17, the Congress suspended Bhanwarlal Sharma and Vishwendra Singh from primary membership following allegations that they were involved in a conspiracy to topple the Ashok Gehlot government.
8Opposition BJP says Congress government has failed to fulfil its duties
Opposition BJP too held it legislators’ meeting, which was attended by former chief minister Vasundhara Raje and national leaders Avinash Rai Khanna and Narendra Tomar, at the party headquarters in the afternoon and finalised its strategy for cornering the government to expose fissures within the ruling party.
Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria said the opposition would move a no-confidence motion and question the government for “failing on all fronts, be it checking Covid-19 or state’s law and order”.
BJP state president Satish Poonia said the Opposition would corner the Congress government on public issues left unattended for more than a month due to the fight between Gehlot and Pilot.
"I would like to tell those spreading the news about the division in the BJP is that our party is one family and we all are committed taking it forward. BJP has served the state for 10 years and taken the state to newer heights. However, Congress has only changed the names of our schemes and did nothing," said Vasundhara Raje I former chief minister of the state.