Rajasthan
Six ex-BSP MLAs crucial for Ashok Gehlot govt's survival get notice from Rajasthan High Court
Jaipur/IBNS: Rajasthan High Court has issued notices to the six BSP MLAs, who defected to Congress, and the state's assembly speaker on petitions by the BSP and BJP.
The high court has sought a reply by August 11, said media reports.
The decision on the six former BSP MLAs will be crucial for the survival of the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan which is going through a political crisis after Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot revolted.
Gehlot has only one MLA more above the majority mark of 101 in the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly. Without the 10 MLAs of BSP, who merged into Congress, Gehlot could be in trouble as at least 19 MLAs have sided with Sachin Pilot, who was sacked from all government and party posts by the Congress party following a rebellion.
With 79 MLAs, BJP needs 30 more MLAs to topple the Congress government in Rajasthan.
Ashok Gehlot's constant pursuit to have an assembly session at the earliest is believed to be spurred by the fact that he was well positioned to prove majority in the floor test.
Since the six BSP MLAs merged the state unit into Congress, a petition has been filed by BJP that the MLAs cannot legally merge into the Congress in just one state since the BSP is a national party, an NDTV report said. BSP has also asked to be made a part of the petition.
BSP chief Mayawati said she was waiting for the right time to teach the Congress and Ashok Gehlot a lesson" for the "theft of MLAs", the report added.
Hitting out at Mayawati, Gehlot said Mayawati is scared of BJP so she is taking such steps.
However, on July 26, BSP had issued a whip to its six MLAs, who were elected on its symbol, directing to vote against the Congress party in any 'No-Confidence Motion' or any other proceedings in the Assembly
Amid the power tussle, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday asked Agrasen Gehlot, brother of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, to record his statement on August 4 in connection with the alleged illegal export of subsidised fertilizer.
Angered by the notice, Gehlot said BJP is misusing ED and CBI.
"The BJP does not believe in democracy. The BJP wears a mask of democracy," said Gehlot, who has been accusing BJP of poaching Congress MLAs to topple his government.
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