Rajasthan Political Crisis: Ashok Gehlot’s Government to fall ?
Rajasthan Political Crisis : The current Rajasthan Political crisis revolves around the political ambitions of Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot. The Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government is facing a political crisis after rebellion by 18 dissident Congress MLAs headed by former Rajashthan State Congress Chief and former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot.
How did the Rajasthan Politcial Crisis Started and What Happened till Now?
On 12th July 2020, around 19 members of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly including Ex- Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot, flew to Delhi after disputes over different offices between factions of CM Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot. Since then there has been rumors that Ashok Gehlot led Rajasthan Government may fall anytime. However, Ashok Gehlot on several occasions have claimed that his government is stable and has support of more than 100-MLAs.
Since the Sachin Pilot led faction of Rajasthan Congress MLAs rebelled against Ashok Gehlot led Government there has been call for disqualification of all the rebel MLAs including Sachin Pilot. However, Rajasthan High Court barred the speaker of Rajasthan Assembly CP Joshi from conducting disqualification proceedings against Sachin Pilot and 18 other rebel Congress MLAs. Ashok Gehlot led faction then moved to Supreme Court against the order of High Court of Rajasthan but Supreme Court refused to interfere with the Rajasthan High Court’s decision to issue necessary orders in the case on Friday, 24th July.
After the Supreme Court refused to interfere in Rajasthan High Court’s order, the focus shifted to Raj Bhawan as Congress MLAs sat on dharna outside Governor’s house demanding summoning of Assembly. Ashok Gehlot mounted offensive comments towards Governor Kalraj Mishra claiming that he was not calling a session of the state Assembly because of “pressure from above”. However, Ashok Gehlot camp on Friday ended a five-hour long dharna at the Raj Bhawan after Governor Kalraj Mishra assured that he will call a session of the state assembly.
What next in Rajasthan Political Crisis?
After the assurance of summoning the assembly by Rajashthan Governor, the Ashok Gehlot led Congress faction have been in hurdle. A cabinet meeting was held on Friday night at Ashok Gehlot’s residence and as per reports a cabinet meeting is again scheduled today that is 25th July. Since the beginning of the crisis, Congress have blamed BJP for conspiring to topple the democratically elected government in Rajasthan. BJP have however, denied such allegations and termed the current Rajasthan Political Crisis as an internal feud between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot.
The Congress party will be holding demonstrations in all district headquarters in Rajasthan today against the BJP. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has accused the BJP of trying to topple his government and also accused his former deputy Sachin Pilot of colluding with BJP to fulfill his political ambition.
Rajasthan Politcial Crisis: Which party stands where in Rajasthan Assembly?
At present Congress, including Sachin Pilot’s faction has majority on its own in 200 seat Rajasthan Assembly. Congress has 107 MLAs which includes 6 BSP MLAs who shifted to Congress last year. BJP on other hand has 72 MLAs. With support of CPI(M), BTP, RLD and 12 Independents Congress at present has support of 124 MLAs in Rajasthan Assembly. BJP on other hand has support of 76 MLAs.
Now where does the problem lies? After 19 MLAs rebelled, the number of Congress MLAs in Rajasthan Assembly decreases to 88 and with the support that Congress claims, the total becomes 105 which is again more than the majority mark. However, there has been rumors that Ashok Gehlot is using state machinery to pressurize the MLAs to be with him. Therefore, Ashok Gehlot faction is insisting on holding floor test as soon as possible because there is a fear of more MLAs jumping the ship. BJP on other hand with 72 MLAs and support of smaller parties and the independents may cash upon the opportunity if the assembly is not summoned at the earliest.
Rajasthan Political Crisis : What next for people of Rajasthan?
Rajasthan along with entire nation is undergoing the worst phase of Coronavirus crisis. Everyday there is massive increase in number of cases in state as well as in country. However, the legislators who have been voted by the people of Rajasthan are enjoying their days in Resorts and Five Star Hotels. The common people are struggling to keep themselves afloat amid the Coronavirus pandemic while the law makers are keeping themselves afloat. Whatever be the end result, it will be the people of Rajasthan who have and who will suffer. Lawmakers will visit them once again when the election will be held in state.
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