Rajasthan political crisis live updates: Assembly session to begin today

BJP to move no-confidence motion against Congress govt

The state BJP on Thursday announced that it would move a no-confidence motion against the Gehlot government in assembly on Friday. The announcement came after the party’s legislature meeting held at the party headquarters. BJP state president Satish Poonia said they would call for a floor test and though the motion might be defeated, the party would expose the Congress’ internal fissures before the public. This is for the first time the party has openly expressed its willingness to go for a no-confidence motion after the political crisis surfaced. They have been either refusing to comment or denying to go for floor test stating that it was Congress’ internal fight. Sources said moving the motion was advised by the central leaders to cause embarrassment to the Congress.

Rajasthan crisis: Why a no-confidence motion by BJP intrigues all

The Congress government in Rajasthan led by chief minister Ashok Gehlot faces a crucial no-confidence motion to be moved by the BJP on Friday. The BJP’s no-confidence motion baffles all. The same move may have appeared realistic had it been made till a week back. It would have got the support more than 100 votes. However, the fluid situation has drastically changed now. The BJP was in a strong position till about a week back. But not anymore. Read more

BSP again issues whip to six MLAs to vote against Congress in Rajasthan Assembly

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Thursday issued a whip for the second time to six of its MLAs in Rajasthan to vote against the Congress in any no-confidence motion or any other proceedings in the state Assembly. BSP National General Secretary Satish Chandra Mishra issued the whip to the MLAs. "All six MLAs have been directed under para 2(1)(a) of the Xth Schedule to vote against the Congress Party in any No-Confidence motion or any other proceedings to be held during the Assembly session of Rajasthan Assembly and if they violate the same they will face disqualification under para 2(1)(b) of the Xth Schedule," a press note by BSP stated.

The Rajasthan high court will today hear the petitions filed by a BJP MLA and the BSP challenging the merger of the latter's six MLAs with the Congress.

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused a plea for temporary freeze on the merger and left the decision to the high court. This means the six MLAs will be able to vote during the trust vote. However, the apex court said it will take up the case on Monday, after the high court's decision.

The BJP, a legislature party meeting on Thursday, decided to move a motion of no confidence in the state assembly against the government. If the government is able to prove its majority, it cannot be challenged for the next six months, rules say.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot had openly rebelled against chief minister Gehlot last month along with 18 other party MLAs.

He was then sacked as deputy chief minister and the party's Rajasthan chief. However, this week there was a 'patch-up' between the two leaders after the intervention of the party's top leadership. On Thursday, Pilot and Gehlot met for the first time since the former's open rebellion a month ago and shook hands.The build-up: The Congress on Thursday also revoked the suspension of two MLAs, Bhanwarlal Sharma and Vishvendra Singh, who were part of the Pilot camp and whom the party had accused of involvement in a "conspiracy" to topple the government.

Amidst the recent political crisis in Rajasthan, the state is going to hold a special assembly session starting today in which the fate of the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government will be decided.

The two met at the CM’s residence for half an hour at 4.30pm — just ahead of the Congress legislature party (CLP) meeting — in the presence of top Congress members KC Venugopal, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Ajay Maken, Avinash Pande and PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra.

Gehlot, Pilot shake hands; House session from today

After more than a month of acrimony, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and his rebellious former deputy Sachin Pilot met here on Thursday, keeping behind the bitterness and flashing victory signs to their supporters and the media. The two met at the CM’s residence for half an hour at 4.30pm — just ahead of the Congress legislature party (CLP) meeting — in the presence of top Congress members. Read more

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) issues whip to six party MLAs, directing them to vote against Congress in 'any No Confidence-Motion'

After Gehlot-Pilot patch up, Cong to move confidence motion in Rajasthan assembly

The Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government will move a confidence motion in the Rajasthan Assembly during the session beginning Friday, a party leader said. Just hours earlier, the opposition BJP said it will move a no-confidence motion during the session. The assembly session comes days after the top leadership of the Congress announced the return of Pilot and 18 other dissident MLAs to the party-fold.

Vasundhara Raje calls on Rajasthan governor

BJP's national vice president and former chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Thursday called on Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra. A Raj Bhawan spokesperson said it was a "courtesy meeting" between the two leaders. Raje met the Governor on the eve of Rajasthan assembly session slated to begin from Friday. Raje also attended the BJP legislature party meeting in the party office on Thursday.

SC refuses interim order on plea against merger of 6 BSP MLAs of Rajasthan with Congress

A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra, in a hearing, briefly heard the parties including the counsel for BJP MLA Madan Dilawar who said that these six BSP MLAs have been wrongly allowed by the assembly speaker to merge with the ruling Congress party. On being told that the Rajasthan High Court is scheduled to hear the case on Friday, the bench said, “We are not passing any interim orders. Any transaction that takes place (in the assembly) will obviously be subject to the court's order.”

Congress will stand united in Rajasthan assembly, fight BJP's bad politics: KC Venugopal

A day ahead of the start of Rajasthan assembly session, Congress today said that it stands united to take on the BJP which is planning to bring a no-confidence motion against the Ashok Gehlot government. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said, "Now the Congress family is united, we will fight against BJP's bad politics. Tomorrow in Vidhan Sabha, Congress party will stand united."

Congress says will move confidence motion in Rajasthan Assembly

The Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government will move a confidence motion in the Rajasthan Assembly during the session beginning Friday, a party leader said. This was announced Thursday at the Congress Legislature Party meeting chaired by Gehlot. Just hours earlier, the opposition BJP said it will move a no-confidence motion during the session.