Ashok Gehlot enjoys the support of 125 MLAs with thereturn of Sachin Pilot. (File photo)
The Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government is expected to go for a trust vote to prove its majority in the Rajasthan Assembly today. The Congress announced the decision soon after the BJP, in a surprise move, said that it will a no-confidence motion against the Congress government in the special assembly session.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had planned a trust vote for days, even when he was reduced to a wafer-thin majority of 102 following revolt of Sachin Pilot. Winning the vote will give him a six-month reprieve.
The BJP has 72 MLAs and the support of three more. Six MLAs who shifted from Mayawati's party to the Congress have been asked by the former party to vote against the Ashok Gehlot government.
But the numbers are hardly enough to challenge Mr Gehlot, who enjoys the support of 125 MLAs with the return of Sachin Pilot.
Sources say the BJP's move is more of a strategy to force a discussion in the assembly to corner the Gehlot government on various issues.
Till now, the BJP had always distanced itself from the Congress crisis and had denied that it would move a no-confidence motion against the state government.
Here are the updates on Rajasthan political crisis:
BJP on Thursday had said that it will ask for a no-confidence motion against the Gehlot government, a surprise decision that, sources say, is largely symbolic.
Sources say the BJP's strategy is to force a discussion in the assembly to corner the Gehlot government on various issues, including the coronavirus crisis. The plan is also to bring out the rift within the Congress in the assembly. The party believes the Congress truce is only temporary.
Ashok Gehlot has the support of 125 MLAs in Rajasthan Assembly
Ashok Gehlot has the support of 125 MLAs, far more than the majority-mark of 101 in the 200-member Rajasthan assembly. Before the rebels returned, he had 102. He made it a point to let the rebels know that he would have won even without their support.
"What happened, let us put it behind us. We would have proved our majority even without these 19 MLAs, but that would not have given us any joy. Kyonki apne toh apne hi hote hain (family is family)," Mr Gehlot said.
The Congress asked for a trust vote shortly after the special assembly session began this morning. Congress Chief Whip Dr Mahesh Joshi has given notice to the speaker for Confidence motion
"Will be the victory of the people of Rajasthan and the unity of our Congress MLAs, it would be a victory of truth," tweets Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot before trust vote.
As the Legislative Assembly session begins today, It would be the victory of the people of Rajasthan and the unity of our Congress MLAs, it would be a victory of truth, tweeted Ashok Gehlot.
"Reunited" Congress vs BJP In Rajasthan Test Of Strength Shortly
Ashok Gehlot will call for a trust vote in the special assembly session that begins today, a day after his patch-up with sacked deputy Sachin Pilot, who ended his month-long rebellion against the Rajasthan Chief Minister earlier this week. The Congress's trust vote move is a counter to the opposition BJP's plan to ask for a no-confidence motion against the Gehlot government, a surprise decision that, sources say, is largely symbolic.
Read Here MLAs who shifted from Mayawati's party to the Congress in Rajasthan were seen heading to Vidhan Sabha. early morning.
Mayawati's Party Asks MLAs Who Merged With Congress To Vote Against It
Six MLAs who shifted from Mayawati's party to the Congress in Rajasthan have been asked by the former party to vote against the Ashok Gehlot government during the trust vote, which, sources said, is likely to be held today. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Thursday issued a whip to the party leaders, warning them that they will face action if they defy the order.
Read Here Ashok Gehlot has the support of 125 MLAs in Rajasthan Assembly
According to sources, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will call for a trust vote to prove his strength in the House. Mr Gehlot had planned a trust vote for days, even when he had a wafer-thin majority of 102, just one more than the majority mark in the 200-member Rajasthan assembly. Winning the vote will give him a six-month reprieve.
With the return of Sachin Pilot, whose rebellion had briefly endangered the Congress government, Mr Gehlot has the support of 125 MLAs.
The Ashok Gehlot had said they would like to discuss coronavirus crisis and the economic effects of the lockdown while urging the Governor to call for an assembly session.
Rajasthan Assembly seesion will begin at 11 am today. The days agenda will be decided in a businesses advisory committee which will meet at 10 am.
