No breakthrough in Rajasthan deadlock, Gehlot vs Pilot continues

Jaipur:Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday moved into a resort outside the pink city along with MLAs who back him. 

This move is aimed at preventing the Congress legislators from being poached or shifting  poles.Immediately after a Congress Legislative Party (CPL) meeting called here to discuss the changing political situation of the royal state, the MLAs along with the CM boarded luxury buses.

As many as 106 MLAs attended the high-level meeting in the presence of Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala and senior leader Ajay Maken who were sent by party's high command in New Delhi

Mr Gehlot, after the meeting, claimed that he has the support of 106 MLA, quite sufficient to rule the House.The CLP meeting passed a resolution affirming support to the Congress government led by Mr Gehlot.

The resolution demanded disciplinary action against anyone involved in anti-party activities.

It also accused the BJP of making attempts to destabilise the Congress government and bribe the MLAs.

On the other hand, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot continues to be away from his home state and remains in Delhi-NCR region. The young leader has claimed that he has a support of over 30 Congress MLA, sufficient to topple the Gehlot-ruled government.

As per sources, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and her sister and Uttar Pradesh general secretary have reached out to both-- Mr Pilot as well as Mr Gehlot.

Sources said that to re-join Gehlot fold, Mr Pilot has demanded Home and Finance portfolios apart from remaining the party president for Rajasthan.

Meanwhile, the opposition Bharaitya Janata Party is closely watching the fast-paced developments and there has been no official statement from higher ups either in centre or in state.

Mr Gehlot had on Saturday alleged that the BJP was attempting to buy Congress MLA's by offering Rs 25 crore, a charge categorically denied by the saffron party.

The political turmoil began in the state when Special Operation Group (SOG) constituted by the chief minister asked Mr Pilot to record his statement over alleged attempt by the BJP to poach Congress MLAs before Rajya Sabha polls last month. Later, the SOG also sent a letter to the chief minister for his statements, but Mr Pilot just called it a 'coverup' to the 'harassment' faced by him.

On Friday, the SOG had arrested two persons over horse-trading charges.As per sources, Mr Pilot and Mr Gehlot have not been in talking terms much. He had also alleged that the chief minister was continuously interfering in his work, even in his constituency.

In the 200-member State Assembly, the Congress has 107 MLAs, while the BJP 72. The ruling paty has the support of one Rashtyia Lok Dal, two Communist Party of India (Marxist), two Bharatiya Tribal Party MLAs and 13 Independents.

In March, Kamal Nath-ruled Congress government toppled in Madhya Pardesh after Jyotiraditya Scindia and 21 Congress MLAs resigned from the party's membership.(UNI)