Rajasthan Crisis LIVE Updates: Sachin Pilot and MLAs Supporting Him Likely to Skip Meeting Tomorrow, Say Sources

Pilot, Supporters Unlikely to Attend Meet Tomorrow | Sachin Pilot and his supporters are unlikely to attend the Congress Legislative Party meeting tomorrow. According to sources, Pilot's supporters "want restoration of dignity" and will wait it out. They are still part of the Congress, sources said. 

Urge Pilot to Air Grievances, Not Hurt Cong: Abhishek Singhvi | I consider Sachin Pilot one of the most talented, competent and impressive Congress men we have. He is a friend also. We all value him in the party. He should come and air his grievances, the floor is open. All people are prepared to listen to him. He may have genuine grievances but where I draw a red flag is that if you try to topple a government or hurt your own Congress party. I think everything except that red flag is accepted in party. It's a capacious party. I urge, request, beg him to exercise that right: Abhishek Singhvi

Tribal Party's MLAs Supporting Congress: Cong Leader | All I know is that Bharataiya Tribal Party's MLAs are with us. Both the MLAs are supporting the Congress party. They were present at the legislative party meeting earlier today and they are present here as well: Chetan Dudi, Secretary, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee.

'Majority Proven in Assembly, Not CM's House' | Hours after Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's show of strength at the CLP meet in Jaipur, sources close to his deputy Sachin Pilot countered the Gehlot government's claim of having the required numbers and said majority is proven in the Assembly, not at the CM's house. They also ruled out the possibility of Pilot joining the BJP.

Differences Must be Expressed with an Open Mind: Surjewala | They're requested to come and discuss how to strengthen Rajasthan and serve the eight crore people together. If there are some differences with someone then they should say that that with an open mind. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are ready to listen to everyone and find a solution: RS Surjewala

Requested Pilot to Attend CLP Meet Tomorrow: Surjewala | To discuss political situation another Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meet will be held here at 10 am tomorrow. We request Sachin Pilot and all MLAs to come, we'll also give them in writing. We've requested them to come and discuss the situation: RS Surjewala, Congress. 

With a majority of 109 for the Congress government in Rajasthan under Ashok Gehlot, all our MLAs gave their support letter. They have failed BJP's attempts. To discuss political situation another Congress Legislative Party meet will be held here at 10 am tomorrow. We request Sachin Pilot & all MLAs to come, we'll also give them in writing. We've requested them to come & discuss the situation: RS Surjewala, Congress.

Cong MLAs to Meet at 10 am Tomorrow | The Congress has called a meeting of all its MLAs at 10 am tomorrow, party leader and spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala says.

Do Everything to Persude Pilot: Bishnoi | Haryana's Adampur MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi urged the Congress leadership to do everything possible to persuade Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, saying his exit from the party will deal a severe blow to it. Bishnoi  also batted for promoting young faces with a "mass base" to strengthen the party.

State Govt Has Majority: Cong MLA | "There is no number game. The state government had majority and it still has the majority. We have more than the required number. We have 109 MLAs with us," says Congress MLA Danish Abrar.

Priyanka Gandhi Likely to Visit Jaipur Tomorrow | Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi may visit Jaipur tomorrow as a political crisis facing the party's government in state unfolds, sources say.

Won't Accept being Slaves to Gehlot: Youth Cong Chief | "If alive, it is necessary to look alive/ It is necessary to defend your principles". Loyalty in Congress means being slaves to Ashoka Gehlot. That is not acceptable to us: Rajasthan Youth Congress President Mukesh Bhakar

" जिंदा हो तो जिंदा नजर आना जरूरी है
उसूलों पर आंच आए तो टकराना जरूरी है"

कांग्रेस में निष्ठा का मतलब है अशोक गहलोत की गुलामी।
वो हमें मंजूर नहीं।

— Mukesh Bhakar (@MukeshBhakar_) July 13, 2020

Congress Resolution Targets 'Anti-party Elements' | A resolution adopted at the Congress Legislature Party meeting today urged "strong disciplinary action" against any party office-bearer or CLP member who does anything to weaken the government or the party and blamed the BJP for the crisis. Read full article here

BJP leader Satish Poonia has alleged that government machinery, from collectors to peon, has engaged in saving the government instead of dealing with the coronavirus crisis. On income tax raids on the premises linked to Congress leaders, Poonia said that it could be a coincidence because conducting such actions require exercise in advance.

Many Things Still under Veil: BJP | "We have all options open. We will follow the directions of the party high command," Satish Poonia said on what the BJP would do in these circumstances. On the developments in the ruling party, the state BJP president, who is also an MLA, said that many things were still under a veil and have not come out yet.

Cong Has Always Sidelined Young Leaders: BJP | Satish Poonia says that young leaders have always been "neglected and side-lined" in the Congress. Pilot had worked for five years to strengthen the Congress but he was neglected, he added. "What is happening in the Congress today is a result of infighting," the BJP leader said.

Cong Govt Lost Confidence of People: BJP | The Congress government in Rajasthan should go as it has lost the confidence of people, the BJP said amid a tussle for power in the ruling party. Asked about speculations that the BJP may support the Pilot camp from outside, party state president Satish Poonia said that "we have all options open" and a decision would be taken based on how the situation evolve and as per the directions of the central leadership.

Cong Govt Functioning in Chaotic Manner: Poonia | There was secession within the Congress; it became clear that this government had been functioning in a chaotic manner for the last two and a half years. The expectations of the people of Rajasthan were not fulfilled and even now the people of Rajasthan do not expect justice. The foundation of the government is based on contradictions: Rajasthan BJP Chief Satish Poonia

कांग्रेस के भीतर विग्रह था ;स्पष्ट हो गया कि यह सरकार पिछले पौने दो साल से अराजक तरीके से काम कर रही थी। राजस्थान की जनता की उम्मीदें पूरी नहीं की और अब भी राजस्थान की जनता को न्याय की उम्मीद नहीं है।
सरकार की बुनियाद ही अंतर्विरोध और अंतर्कलह पर है।#RajasthanPoliticalCrisis

— Satish Poonia (@DrSatishPoonia) July 13, 2020

Congress MLAs at the Fairmont Hotel in Rajasthan's Jaipur:

Rahul Gandhi to Discuss Current Affairs, History Via Video | As the political crisis in Rajasthan continues, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announces that he will share his thoughts on current affairs, history and crisis:

I want to make our current affairs, history and crisis clear and accessible for those interested in the truth.

From tomorrow, I’ll be sharing my thoughts with you on video.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 13, 2020

Bharatiya Tribal Party Directs MLAs to Refrain from Voting in Floor Test | The Bharatiya Tribal Party instructed its two MLAs in the Rajasthan Assembly to refrain from voting in favour of neither the BJP nor Congress during floor test.

Never Wanted a Coup to Fail More: Omar Abdullah | Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah has weighed in on the political crisis, albeit without naming any of the participants. In what can only be construed as Abdullah giving his take on the power tussle between CM Ashok Gehlot and his deputy Sachin Pilot, he posted a single line fleet on Twitter saying, “I have never wanted a coup to fail more.” Read full report here

Some Cong MLAs Return Home from Manesar | Some Congress MLAs from Rajasthan supporting Sachin Pilot who were staying at a five-star hotel in Manesar have now returned home, sources were quoted as saying by IANS. According to sources, these MLAs had supported Pilot on a leadership change in the state, but on reaching the hotel, were allegedly told that the Gehlot government would have to be dislodged, and a new dispensation led by the BJP come in its place. However, some of them were not keen on this as they wanted to change the CM but not join the BJP.

Raj Minister Expresses Support for Pilot | Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Ramesh Meena says, "I am with Sachin Pilot."

20 MLAs Skipped CLP Meet | As many as 20 MLAs did not attend the Congress Legislative Party meeting held at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's residence today.

'Gehlot Govt Must Prove Majority in Assembly' | The Ashok Gehlot government does not have the numbers they claim. The CM’s back garden is not the place to prove majority, it is done in the Assembly. If they have numbers as claimed, why not do a head count and take them to the Governor instead of moving them to hotel?: Sources close to Sachin Pilot tell ANI.

Like Father, Like Son | Pilot has proved that he is a chip off the old block. Several years ago, his father Rajesh Pilot took on the Congress old guard and won. The wheel has come full circle, with his son and political heir raising the flag of rebellion. Pilot Sr was a great believer in inner-party democracy and had the self-confidence to stand up to the party leadership. Sachin displays the same courage of conviction, although there are differences in approach and style. Read Bhavdeep Kang's opinion piece here

Pilot to Not Join BJP | Rajasthan Deputy CM Sachin Pilot is not joining the BJP, sources close to him were quoted as saying by ANI.

Confident Pilot Will Not Quit Party: Shivakumar | Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar hoped Sachin Pilot would remain in the party. "As Pilot is a sincere Congressman, he will not quit the party. I am confident he will remain in the party and resolve the issues amicably," Shivakumar said. "The BJP is continuing its Operation Kamal agenda to destabilise governments of opposition parties through undemocratic means. Though it does not have numbers, it is trying to break our party and take away some of our MLAs to form its government even in Rajasthan," alleged Shivakumar.

Congress MLAs arrive at the Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur:

#Rajasthan: MLAs arrive at Hotel Fairmont in Jaipur, after attending Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's residence. https://t.co/fuL74N0yYY pic.twitter.com/eHFDHrDgKc

— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2020