Rajasthan Political Crisis LIVE Updates: HC Adjourns to Thursday Hearing in Plea against Merger of 6 BSP MLAs with Congress

Rajasthan HC Adjourns Hearing | The Rajasthan High Court adjourns the hearing on petition against merger of 6 BSP MLAs with Congress till August 13.

The government in Rajasthan has survived because of Gehlot’s ability to hold on to his MLAs in a protracted battle of nerves.

'Shouldn't Have Made Public' | Breaking his weeks of silence, Sachin Pilot made it clear that while he was going to keep Rajasthan as his karmabhoomi and his grip intact on the state, it won't be easy to forget the harsh words used against him by chief minister Ashok Gehlot, who had called his deputy "nikamma, nakaara". The CM had also commented that Pilot had done nothing for the state, and all he did was to become a "good looking, English-speaking neta". READ MORE

Speaking exclusively to CNN News18, Pilot said that while he did not feel bitter or sad about the events that unfolded over the past one month in Rajasthan, it was also true that he was not being…

Court Wrap | SC Commences hearing of the petition by BJP MLA Madan Dilawar against six BSP MLAs, who had merged with Congress in Rajasthan.

#SupremeCourt commences hearing of the petition by #BJP MLA Madan Dilawar against six BSP MLAs, who had merged with #Congress in #Rajasthan.

A transfer petition filed by the 6 MLAs is also being heard together.

At the outset, rebel BSP MLAs say they want to withdraw their plea.

— Utkarsh Anand (@utkarsh_aanand) August 11, 2020

UPDATE | Bahujan Samaj Party MLAs seek to withdraw their transfer petition from the apex court. Meanwhile, the hearing begins in the court. 

Will Address Grievances of MLAs, Says Rajasthan CM | Will address grievances Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said it was his responsibility to address the grievances of MLAs. But why did the MLAs go and what promises were made to them, only they know it, Gehlot said. "If any MLA is annoyed with me, then it is my responsibility to address that. I have kept doing this in the past and will do this now also," Gehlot told reporters before leaving for Jaisalmer. 

" Imbibed certain values from my family, no matter how much I oppose anyone, I've never used such language. Ashok Gehlot ji is elder to me and I respect him personally but I have the right to raise work-related concerns," Sachin Pilot on Gehlot's 'nikamma' remark against him. 

I harbour no wish to have a post, these things come and go. We need to work in the direction of strengthening the public's confidence and trust in us: Sachin Pilot, Congress #Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/wNqtHdJmGF

— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2020

 Three independent MLAs Om Prakash Hudla, Suresh Tank and Khushveer Singh met CM Ashok Gehlot at his residence in Jaipur. 

UPDATE | "The congress is united under Sonia Gandhi, she has a stature beyond the party. She hears everyone's problems. Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will take the party forward," said Pilot.  

I Have Made No Demands For CM Position, Clarifies Pilot | "A year and a half ago Congress made Gehlot the CM and I was the deputy CM, I know it did not work out the way we planned but I have made no demands of being the CM," stated Sachin Pilot.

WATCH | Sachin Pilot in conversation with CNN News18

#LIVE | Congress leader Sachin Pilot speaks exclusively to CNN-News18’s @_pallavighosh. https://t.co/0XSXabnKKq

— CNNNews18 (@CNNnews18) August 11, 2020

"FIRs Were Registered Against my Colleagues, Rajasthan Govt Action Were Uncalled For" | In conversation with CNN News 18, Sachin Pilot said, "We have been members of Congress for many years...we raised some issues...we raised it with the high command and our party is democratic enough to listen them. I have found my solutions. 

BJP Has Been Shown its Place, Says Gehlot

Income Tax & CBI are being misused and politics is being done in the name of religion. But our govt will complete its full term of 5 years and we will win the next elections as well: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot https://t.co/pyF5nNvcJH

— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2020

No One from Our Flock Jumped Ship, Says Gehlot | "Our MLAs stood together even with all this pressure that was being laid on us, I am happy to know how loyal they are and that they trust us," said Chief Minister Gehlot. 

The government in Rajasthan has survived because of Gehlot’s ability to hold on to his MLAs in a protracted battle of nerves.

3 Independent MLAs of Sachin Pilot Camp Reach CM's Residence | Three independent MLAs supporting Sachin Pilot camp has reached the residence of Ashok Gehlot to meet the chief minister. 

If the Ashok Gehlot-Sachin Pilot rift ends, a perception will build that Rahul managed to stem the rot in Rajasthan. Pilot staying back will also reassure many disgruntled young leaders that they have…

'Ghar Vapsi Ensured': Tweets Kapil Sibal | Responding to the reconciliation between Sachin Pilot and Congress' high command, Kapil Sibal took to Twitter. 

Rajasthan

Countdown to August 14

Ghar Wapsi ensured

Ghelot has endured

BJP is floored

But opportunism “ uncured “

— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) August 11, 2020

Senior party leaders Ahmed Patel, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal held a meeting with Pilot and other aggrieved legislators at 15 GRG Road in the national capital

Why Gehlot, Raje Remain at the Helm of Rajasthan Politics | The government in Rajasthan has survived not because of any intervention by the central leadership. The party remains in power because of Gehlot’s ability to hold on to his MLAs in a protracted battle of nerves. Faced with a rebellion from within, he could manage to keep the BJP at bay through sheer grit of a battle-hardened politician and determination to survive. READ MORE

If the Ashok Gehlot-Sachin Pilot rift ends, a perception will build that Rahul managed to stem the rot in Rajasthan. Pilot staying back will also reassure many disgruntled young leaders that they have…

RECAP | On Monday, Pilot had met Rahul and Priyanka Gandh. Priyanka, Venugopal and Ahmed Patel are part of the panel set up to address Pilot's complaints and recommend action. "We raised issues of principles before the Congress leadership and welcome their assurance of time-bound redressal of our grievances," said Pilot. "I don't crave for any post or hanker after any position. The party has given a position and can take it back. I wanted that the respect be maintained and those who have worked hard in the formation of Congress government in Rajasthan be rewarded accordingly," the former deputy chief minister said.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Hits Out at Congress | "Congress is like a mega multi starrer flop film. In both cases, the audience suffers the most," Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat took to Twitter. 

Senior party leaders Ahmed Patel, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal held a meeting with Pilot and other aggrieved legislators at 15 GRG Road in the national capital

UPDATE | Bharatiya Janata Party MLA meet scheduled for today has been cancelled. 

Congress to Set Up a Three-member Committee To Discuss Grievances |  While the Congress did not give details of what transpired in the Rahul-Pilot meeting, AICC general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal said in a statement, Sonia Gandhi has decided that the AICC will constitute a three-member committee to "address the issues raised by Pilot and the aggrieved MLAs and arrive at an appropriate resolution thereof"."Shri Sachin Pilot has committed to working in the interest of the Congress party and the Congress government in Rajasthan," it added.

My Fight is of Principles, Never Hankered After Any Post: Sachin Pilot | Pilot, who made his first public appearance since he revolted against Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot a month ago, told media that he and the other MLAs raised organisational issues, the case of sedition filed by the SOG and the style of governance in the state, and expressed the hope that these will be addressed soon. "We raised issues of principles before the Congress leadership and welcome their assurance of time-bound redressal of our grievances," Pilot said. 

'Welcome Back': Cong Leaders Hail Rajasthan Crisis 'Resolution' | Several Congress leaders "welcomed back" Sachin Pilot after the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister's meeting with Rahul Gandhi that signalled an "amicable resolution" of nearly a month-long political crisis in the state. Soon after his patch-up talks with senior Congress leaders, Pilot said he has never hankered after posts and his was a fight for principles.

Congress crisis ends after a month