Rajasthan crisis: Congress MLAs were holed up at a resort near Jaipur

Image courtesy: ANI

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan is staring at a serious crisis as Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot is planning to quit the party with his loyalist MLAs. 

The current flashpoint between Gehlot and Pilot was a probe ordered by the state police into "poaching" of MLAs and a notice sent to Pilot, which has not gone well with Rajasthan Congress president.

The Rajasthan police issued notices to Gehlot and his deputy Pilot to record their statement in connection with the alleged attempts to topple their Congress government, sources said on Saturday.

On Saturday (July 11), Gehlot had accused the opposition BJP of trying to topple his government by offering Congress MLAs large sums of money and said his administration is not just stable but will complete its five-year term.

Rajasthan Congress in-charge Avinash Pande on Sunday (July 12) night said that a whip has been issued to all party MLAs to be mandatorily present at Congress Legislature Party meeting to be held on Monday (July 13) in Jaipur. Pande asserted that strict disciplinary action will be taken against any MLA who will fail to attend the meeting without mentioning personal/special reason.

Pande expressed confidence that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot-led government will survive as 109 MLAs have signed a letter expressing their trust and support to his government. Pande added that some more MLAs had telephonic conversation with CM Gehlot and they will also sign letter of support on Monday.

Here are the latest updates of Rajasthan political crisis:

13 July 2020

23:36 IST

Congress MLAs were holed up at a resort near Jaipur, where a second legislature party meeting will be held Tuesday as the top leadership tries to woo back dissidents led by Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot. Former party president Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are among the senior leaders who have been in touch with Pilot, sources said.

21:49 IST

They're requested to come and discuss how to strengthen Rajasthan and serve 8 crore people of the state together. If there are some differences with someone then they should say that that with an open mind. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi ready to listen to everyone and find solution, said Randeep Surjewala.

20:12 IST

Twenty MLAs, including Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, did not attend the Congress Legislature Party meeting held at the residence of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday amid the political crisis in the state, sources said.Apart from Pilot, Ved Solanki, Rakesh Parik, Murari Lal Meena, JR Khatana, Indraj Gurjar, Gajendra Singh Shaktavat, Hareesh Meena, Deependra Singh Shekhawat, Bhanwar Lal Sharma, Gajraj Khatana, Vijedra Ola, Hemaram Choudhary, PR Meena, Ramesh Meena, Vishvendra Singh, Mukesh Bhakar, Suresh Modi, Virendra Choudhary and Amar Singh Jatav were not present at the meeting.

19:15 IST

Rajasthan Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ramesh Meena today said that he is with Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot in the political crisis faced by the Congress government in the state. "I am with Sachin Pilot," Meena told ANI. Sources close to Pilot had earlier said that the government headed by Ashok Gehlot does not have the numbers it claims, adding that the Chief Minister`s back garden is not the place to prove majority but it is done in the assembly. 

17:58 IST

Sources close to Sachin Pilot told ANI that Ashok Gehlot govt doesn’t have numbers they claim, adding CM’s back garden isn't the place to prove majority, it’s done in Assembly. If they have numbers as claimed then why not do a head count, take them to Governor instead of moving them to hotel?"

17:34 IST

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar today hoped party`s rebel leader and Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot would remain in the party. "As Pilot is a sincere Congressman, he will not quit the party. I am confident he will remain in the party and resolve the issues amicably," Shivakumar told reporters in Bengaluru, amid the crisis in the faction-ridden party`s Rajasthan unit.

17:22 IST

Congress Legislature Party (CLP) today unanimously passed a resolution supporting Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot-led government and accusing the BJP of destabilising the government by indulging in horse-trading of MLAs. The resolution said, "It is unfortunate that BJP did not learn lessons from the defeat in the Rajya Sabha elections and are trying to destabilise Congress government using corrupt means."

15:55 IST

Rajasthan Congress Legislature Party (CLP) on Monday passed a resolution supporting the Ashok Gehlot-led government in the state. In a show of strength, 102 MLAs turned up at the chief minister’s residence ahead of the meeting, which was called by the party amid the crisis caused by deputy CM Sachin Pilot’s rebellion. 

14:06 IST

Sachin Pilot posters put up again at PCC office in Jaipur.

13:21 IST

Out of 200 MLAs in Rajasthan Assembly, 101 have reached CM Ashok Gehlot's residence in Jaipur.

12:56 IST

Congress leaders sre still waiting for MLAs of Sachin Pilot's camp. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala has appealed to Pilot to attend the CLP meeting. Pilot loyalist MLA Chetan Dudu has reached CM Gehlot's residence.

12:36 IST

19 Congress MLAs yet to reach CM Ashok Gehlot's residence in Jaipur.

12:30 IST

Sachin Pilot not to attend Congress Legislative Party meeting, said sources, adding that Pilot told Surjewala that 25 MLAs are still with him.

12:29 IST

If anyone is upset in family, they should find a solution by sitting with members of the family...On behalf of Congress leadership, including Sonia ji & Rahul ji, I convey that doors of Congress party are always open for Sachin ji or any member: Randeep Surjewala

12:05 IST

I want to clearly state that Congress govt is stable in Rajasthan and we will complete the full term. No amount of conspiracy by BJP will be successful in toppling our govt in the state, says Congress leader Randeep Surjewala

11:56 IST

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala has said that the party is in contact with Sachin Pilot. "Over the last 48 hours, Congress leadership has spoken to Sachin Pilot a number of times about the present political situation. I appeal to all Congress MLAs that people have voted for Congress to lead a stable govt in the state, so all MLAs should take part in the Congress Legislative Party meeting today and make our govt in the state stronger," he said.

11:48 IST

PL Punia, AICC General Secretary In-charge of Chhattisgarh, tweets clarification on his statement, “Sachin Pilot is now in BJP”. He said he meant to say "Scindia instead of Pilot."

11:37 IST

The Income Tax department has carried out searches at over a dozen locations linked to Congress leader Dharamender Rathore, who is considered close to Gehlot, as well as businessman Rajiv Arora.

11:34 IST

CM Ashok Gehlot-led government has enough number and some BJP numbers are also in contact with us: BSP MLA Rajendra Guda

11:32 IST

Posters and hoarding of Sachin Pilot removed from PCC office in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

11:23 IST

Congress chief whip Mahesh Joshi said that those who are calling the whip as illegal are wrong. He added that the whip is completely legal and it has been issued to attend the meeting called by the party.

11:20 IST

The CLP meeting is scheduled to begin at 11AM. MLAs Ramlal Meena and Gopal Meena have reached CM's residence. MLA Baldev Yadav is also at the CM's residence. Rafeeq Khan reached CM Gehlot's residence with all the BSP MLAs. 

11:09 IST

Over 90 MLAs at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's residence in Jaipur, for Congress Legislative Party meeting. The meeting has started: Sources

11:00 IST

Sachin Pilot is now in Bharatiya Janata Party. Everyone knows BJP’s attitude towards Congress party. We don’t need a certificate from BJP. In Congress Party, all leaders and workers are respected: AICC general secretary in-charge of Chhattisgarh, PL Punia

10:46 IST

Congress may sack Rajasthan Deputy CM Sachin Pilot for skipping CLP meeting, claim sources

10:15 IST

People of Rajasthan had given an opportunity to Congress to form govt in the state, they should have used it properly. CM should have kept his govt intact, but he is not able to do it. His party MLAs are not happy with him: BJP leader Om Mathur

10:08 IST

Sources said that Sachin Pilot is likely to float a new party as several MLAs of his camp have refused to support the BJP. Speculations are rife that Pilot would quit Congress to float Pragatisheel Congress Morcha. 

10:05 IST

I've tried to speak to Sachin Pilot and have also sent messages to him but he hasn't replied yet. He isn't above the party.The party is ready to listen to him but no indiscipline will be tolerated. I'm hoping he'll turn up for the meeting: Rajasthan Congress in-charge Avinash Pandey

09:59 IST

BJP will not be successful in its attempts to topple Congress govt in Rajasthan. All our Congress MLAs and our alliance MLAs are with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot; all of them will be attending the meeting of Congress Legislative Party today: Congress MLA Mahender Chaudhary

09:39 IST

India COVID-19 data: Coronavirus cases in India rise to 8,78,254 including 3,01,609 active cases, 5,53,471 cured/discharged/migrated and 23,174 deaths as per the Ministry of Health data. 28,701 new COVID19 cases and 500 deaths reported in India in the last 24 hours. 

09:13 IST

BJP is closely monitoring the changing political situations in Rajasthan. BJP is waiting for Pilot's next move before taking finalising its strategy. CM Ashok Gehlot-led government has a conmfortable majority and there is a significant different between the number of MLAs of Congress and BJP. The saffron party will first analyse the strength of Pilot camp as at least 30 Congress MLAs will have to resign to put Gehlot government in minority in 200-member Rajasthan Assembly.

09:11 IST

Sources said that BJP's central leadership has hinted that disgruntled Congress leader and Rajasthan Deputy CM Sachin Pilot would not join the BJP.

09:08 IST

A meeting of Congress Legislative Party is scheduled to be held at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's residence on Monday.

09:04 IST

Congress leader KC Venugopal to reach Jaipur, Rajasthan on Monday.

08:37 IST

Raghuveer Meena likely to be appointed as new Congress state president in place of Sachin Pilot, claimed sources.

08:36 IST

Sources claimed that the Congress is in no mood to pacify Sachin Pilot and if Pilot and his supporter MLAs fail to attend Legislative party meeting they are likely to be thrown out of the party. 

08:35 IST

The Congress party on Sunday night claimed that it has the support of 109 MLAs and these legislators have expressed their trust and support to Rajasthan government led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and leadership of Sonia Gandhi-ji and Rahul Gandhi-ji: Avinash Pande

08:34 IST

Congress has issued a whip to the party MLAs in Rajasthan for the legislature party meeting scheduled at 10:30 am on Monday. In a press conference held at around 2 on Monday morning, Congress leaders Ajay Maken, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Avinash Pande said disciplinary action will be taken against those MLAs who fail to attend the meeting.