Cong MLAs’ resignation: HC notice to speaker, secretary

Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the assembly speaker and secretary on a petition seeking a decision on the resignations submitted by more than 90 MLAs of the ruling Congress on September 25.
The speaker had neither accepted nor rejected the resignations so far. The reply had to be filed within three weeks. The division bench of Justices M M Shrivastava and Vinod Kumar Bharwani, while hearing BJP MLA and deputy leader of Opposition in the Assembly Rajendra Rathore's plea, issued the notice to the speaker.
The MLAs, including ministers, loyal to chief minister Ashok Gehlot had on September 25 submitted their resignations to the speaker CP Joshi. They were opposing the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting called to determine Gehlot's successor to the post of the chief minister, as he was the frontrunner for the post of Congress president.
Rathore had moved the high court last week alleging that the speaker has not taken any decision on resignations despite repeated requests while the 'resigned' MLAs and ministers are enjoying power and perks as usual.
Since the speaker is sitting tight over the issue for the last 90 days and has not arrived at any decision yet, it is imperative for the court to interfere in the matter, Rathore, who is representing himself in the case argued.
The petition sought the secretary of the assembly be directed to produce before the Court the entire record of the above matter including the original copies of the resignations submitted by the 91 MLAs.