Rajasthan Raj Bhawan protest: BJP requests Centre to deploy CRPF

"Gehlot said if floor test demand is not met, people will gherao the Raj Bhawan. Law and order in state is in danger. We don't trust Rajasthan Police. I request the Centre to send CRPF force immediately," Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria told mediapersons here.

On the other hand, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Rajasthan party president Satish Poonia termed 'unconstitutional' the protest.

"You (Mr Gehlot) can a write letter, request him (Governor) or meet personally. But entering his premises and protesting is highly unconstitutional," Poonia said in a press conference here.

The senior BJP leader, also an MLA from Amber constituency, said the act to 'gherao' Governor Kalraj Mishra's premises is nothing but a 'political tactic'.

"He wants rebels to be disqualified anyhow so that he can prove majority. But there are rules which have to be followed," the BJP president said.

Poonia said the rule applies to all. No one is above it.

"Is he (Mr Gehlot) above law. See the language he is speaking. Does it suit him? He has failed to run a successful government and keeping his house in order," the BJP leader alleged.

Poonia claimed that the Chief Minister was scared of former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot and that's why he uses inappropriate language against  Pilot.

"He has lost his mental balance. I advice him to remain calm and be patient," he asserted.

Asked whether Pilot can become the chief minister of the state, Poonia replied sarcastically, "I am not an astrologer."

The Governor has declined the request of Mr Gehlot and his supporters for an urgent floor test to prove the majority in Assembly, sources said.

Apprising the Chief Minister about the COVID-19 situation, the Governor said calling an urgent session of Assembly amid the pandemic needs wider and broader consideration.

However, there was no confirmation whether Mishra mentioned about the matter being sub judice.

Dissatisfied with the Governor's explanation, the Gehlot camp continued their protest by sitting in the lawn of the Raj Bhawan.

At the time of filing the report, the MLAs were still inside the premises. As per sources, Gehlot has sought another meeting with the Governor.

If the disqualification of 19 MLAs take place, the strength of the Assembly will be reduced to 181, with a new halfway-mark of 91 required to rule the House.

In the present Assembly, Congress has 107 MLAs, while BJP has 72.

Rajasthan plunged into a political crisis after Pilot and his loyalists revolted against Gehlot and left the desert state.

Later, Pilot was stripped of the dual posts of Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president.

Pilot, along with the rebels, remained cemented in Manesar Hotel, over 280 km away from the Pink City.