Rajasthan Political Crisis LIVE Updates: Cabinet Meets to Discuss Situation after Congress MLAs Call off Protest

WATCH RECAP | Rajasthan CM Gehlot Briefs PM Modi On Political Crisis, Demands Probe In ‘Horse-trading’ Audio Clip

The MLAs were seen sitting in the lawns of the Governor's residence as they raised the demand for calling a special Assembly Session.

Rajasthan Cabinet Meeting Begins | Cabinet meeting chaired by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over holding the Assembly Session has begun. 

The Rajasthan Governor's office in response to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Congress MLAs request for session assembly and related dharna demonstrations today said, the state government should ensure freedom and free movement of all the MLAs. 

No Justification Mentioned in Session Proposal | There is no justification provided for holding of the Session at short notice nor any agenda has been proposed for the same. A 21-day notice period is required for the session to be called according to normal procedures, said Rajasthan Governor's Secretariat.

Raj Guv's Office on Assembly Session Request | On the night of July 23, the State Government presented a paper to convene the session of the Assembly at very short notice. The paper was analysed and legal experts were consulted over it. But the date on which the session is to be convened is not mentioned and no approval has been given by the Cabinet for the same: Rajasthan Governor's Secretariat

BJP on Rajasthan Crisis | Why should the Governor be paying the price for it? Says BJP Spokesperson Narendra Taneja on Rajasthan political crisis. 

#RajasthanPoliticalCrisis – Why should the Governor be paying the price for it: @narendrataneja (Spokesperson, BJP)

Watch #BrassTacks with @SiddiquiMaha. pic.twitter.com/dQDSS0FdXZ

— CNNNews18 (@CNNnews18) July 24, 2020

Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra has reportedly asked for legal opinion on whether the House can be convened during the ongoing pandemic.

'Who is Responsible for Guv's Security?' | "If you and your Home Ministry can't protect the Governor then what about law and order in the state? What agency should be contacted for the Governor's security? I've never heard such a statement from any Chief Minister. Is this not the beginning of a wrong trend where MLAs protest at Raj Bhawan?", asked Rajasthan Governor.

Raj Guv Writes to CM on Remarks Made | Rajasthan’s Governor Kalraj Mishra writes to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot stating, "Before I could discuss the matter with experts regarding Assembly session, you have publically said that if Raj Bhawan is 'gheraoed' then it is not your responsibility." 

Guv Should Call Session, Insult to People of Raj: Rahul Gandhi | The country is ruled by constitution and law. Governments are formed and run by the majority of the people. The conspiracy to demolish the Rajasthan government is clear. This is an insult to the eight crore people of Rajasthan. The Governor should call a session of the Legislative Assembly so that the truth comes before the country: Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi

देश में संविधान और क़ानून का शासन है।

सरकारें जनता के बहुमत से बनती व चलती हैं।

राजस्थान सरकार गिराने का भाजपाई षड्यंत्र साफ़ है। ये राजस्थान के आठ करोड़ लोगों का अपमान है।

राज्यपाल महोदय को विधान सभा सत्र बुलाना चाहिए ताकि सच्चाई देश के सामने आए।#ArrogantBJP

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 24, 2020

BJP Accuses Raj CM of Corruption, Vendetta | Manner in which Ashok Gehlot is working in Rajasthan with politicised bureaucracy, corruption and vendetta was exposed by media today. It was exposed that the wife and family of the then SOG head Anil Paliwal has business connections with the family of Ashok Gehlot: BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra

CM Inciting People Against Constitutional Head: BJP | The Chief Minister has committed the crime of inciting people against the constitutional head. Never before in the history of Rajasthan was Raj Bhavan made the arena of politics: BJP leader, Satish Poonia

UPDATE | Sachin Pilot camp files caveat in the Supreme Court. As per sources the move was made as he wanted to be heard if Congress moves SC with any new petition. 

Raj Bhavan Sit-in Violated Covid Guidelines: BJP | The gathering of legislators led by the Chief Minister at Raj Bhavan today violated Covid-19 guidelines. When the coronavirus situation is going out of control in the state, it is not lawful for the legislators to gather in the Raj Bhavan like this: BJP leader Satish Poonia

राजभवन में मुख्यमंत्री द्वारा विधायकों को ले जाकर भीड़ जुटाना कोरोना एडवाइजरी के दिशानिर्देशों के खिलाफ है। उन्होंने कहा कि जब प्रदेश में कोरोना बेकाबू हो रहा है, तो इस तरह राजभवन में विधायकों का एकत्रित होना कानूनन सही नहीं है : @DrSatishPoonia

— BJP Rajasthan (@BJP4Rajasthan) July 24, 2020

"Satyagraha," said Rajasthan Chief Minister in a tweet showing today's sit-in demonstration at the Raj Bhavan by Congress MLAs in demand for urgent Assembly Session. 

सत्याग्रह। pic.twitter.com/54wNZrueZE

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) July 24, 2020

UPDATE | Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police has issued notices to Tanveer Singh, Balwant Singh, Digvijaya Raj Singh and Karni Singh in connection to the horse-trading allegation that let to the political crisis in the state government. 

Raj Rebel MLAs Get Notice for Horse-Trading | Anti-Corruption Bureau issued notice to Congress MLAs Vishvendra Singh and Bhanwar Lal Sharma in connection with alleged horse-trading in Rajasthan.

'BJP Hijacking Public Opinion from Holliganism Through Horse Trading' | BJP is conspiring to hijack public opinion from hooliganism and trying topple the government led by Congress majority leader Ashok Gehlot through horse-trading, says Congress spokesperson, Randeep Singh Surjewala. "Those who sit on the throne of power in Delhi will fail to kill the public opinion of Rajasthan no matter how many tricks they have."

BJP गुंडागर्दी से जनमत का अपहरण कर,बहुमत वाली कांग्रेस की श्री अशोक गहलोत के नेतृत्व की सरकार को विधायकों के खरीद-फरोद से गिराने का षड्यंत्र कर रही है।

दिल्ली में सत्ता के सिंहासन पर बैठे मदमस्त हुकुमरान कितने भी हथकंडे अपना ले, राजस्थान की जनमत की हत्या करने में असफल होंगे! pic.twitter.com/la0CsW90nR

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) July 24, 2020

Patel Slams 'Selective Application of Constitution' | BJP government in Manipur manages to convene assembly, But Congress government in Rajasthan can’t. Selective application of the Constitution is now rule of law?: Congress Leader Ahmed Patel

BJP government in Manipur manages to convene assembly

But Congress government in Rajasthan can’t .

Selective application of the Constitution is now rule of law ? pic.twitter.com/RY44ujKh7j

— Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) July 24, 2020

The party also questioned the Rajasthan High Court’s order maintaining status quo on the disqualification notice issued by the state assembly speaker to 19 dissident Congress MLAs, including Sachin Pilot.

"We shall overcome", said Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in a tweet with a video attached showing Congress MLA demonstrating outside Raj Bhavan.

हम होंगे कामयाब...✌️ pic.twitter.com/BeoYedUC9C

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) July 24, 2020

Congress MLAs end dharna, leave Raj Bhavan as party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala says Rajasthan Governor has given assurance that he will abide by the Constitution and take decision without any pressure.

Rajasthan: Congress MLAs, supporting CM Ashok Gehlot, leave from Raj Bhawan where the had sat in protest and raised slogans over the issue of the convening of Assembly Session.

Chief Minister had met Governor Kalraj Mishra today & has now called a cabinet meet at 9:30 pm. https://t.co/6dTlMBv8mI pic.twitter.com/mag0K3DDVA

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2020

Cong MLAs Stop Dharna After Assurance from Guv | Congress MLAs end dharna at Raj Bhawan after assurance from Rajasthan Governor on calling assembly session, reports PTI. 

The Congress leader criticised the High Courts for interfering in the Speaker's office and said that even Governors are not acting as protectors of the Constitution.

Reply Will be Sent to Guv Today Itself: Cong | We believe the Governor. A state cabinet meeting will be held today at 9:30 pm, the note will be looked into and a reply will be sent to the Governor today itself: Congress spokesperson, Randeep Singh Surjewala

CM Wants to Prove Majority: Cong | Chief Minister wants to prove majority, call assembly session on Covid crisis and wants to silence those who say that Congress doesn't have majority. Governor told us he'll abide by Constitution. He gave Ashok Gehlot a note that is to be looked into, then Governor will have to follow Article 174 of the Constitution: Congress spokesperson, RS Surjewala

Gehlot to Call Cabinet Meeting at 9:30 pm | Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to hold cabinet meeting today at 9:30 pm at his residence in Jaipur. It is reported that he will discuss fresh proposal letter for assembly session to Governor.

Need Time to Investigate Merits: Raj Guv on Assembly Session | Pressure politics is not right. I need some time now. The government has proposed to call a session in a four-line letter but no agenda was mentioned in the proposal to call the assembly. We are investigating its merits, said Rajasthan Governor, Kalraj Mishra according to sources. 

'Dissent or Defiance?' Asks Ahmed Patel | Very curious to know if the BJP President goes incommunicado with 30 MP’s, is actively collaborating with the Congress party and lodging himself in a Congress ruled stated under police protection - will it be mere dissent or defiance that merits disqualification?, tweets Congress leader Ahmed Patel. 

Very curious to know if the BJP President goes incommunicado with 30 MP’s , is actively collaborating with the Congress party & lodging himself in a Congress ruled stated under police protection - will it be mere dissent or defiance that merits disqualification?

— Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) July 24, 2020