Rajasthan crisis: Sachin Pilot offered me money to join BJP but I refused, says Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga

The political tussle between Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot will play out in the high court today as Pilot and 18 other MLAs challenge the disqualification notices sent to them by Assembly Speaker CP Joshi. The Pilot camp had challenged the disqualification notices under the anti-defection law, stressing that they are still with the Congress nad had not done anything to harm the party. The notice was issued to Pilot's team under the Tenth Schedule.

The political tussle between Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot will play out in the high court today as Pilot and 18 other MLAs challenge the disqualification notices sent to them by Assembly Speaker CP Joshi. The Pilot camp had challenged the disqualification notices under the anti-defection law, stressing that they are still with the Congress and had not done anything to harm the party. The notice was issued to Pilot's team under the Tenth Schedule.

The petition, filed jointly by Pilot along with 18 other rebel MLAs, has challenged the validity of clause 2(1)(a) of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution of India. The petition claimed that this provision cannot be so widely construed that the very same fundamental freedom of speech and expression of a member of the House is jeopardised. Pilot and others said: "Mere expression of dissatisfaction or even disillusionment against the party leadership cannot be treated to be conduct falling within the clause 2(1)(a) of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution of India."

Here are the highlights: 

20 July 2020

16:37 IST

Sachin Pilot offered me money to join BJP, but I refused, said Rajasthan Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga.

15:04 IST

Devadatt Kamat starts his arguments. Kamat represents the Congress Party

14:14 IST

Bench: Did you apply your mind before sending the notice under 10th Schedule?

Dr Singhvi, who is Speaker's lawyer: I am not a robot or a post office. As long as the complaint is not outlandish, there is no need to accord reasons to issue show cause.

14:13 IST

The Bench commences its hearing. Dr. Singhvi provides certain clarifications.

13:57 IST

Dr. Singhvi completes his arguments.

Advocate General Singhvi to commence his arguments at 2 PM .

The Court rises for lunch.

The arguments will commence at 2 PM.

13:05 IST

19 MLAs will have different facts. The matter has to be decided by Speaker on case-to-case basis. Speaker's exercise of power cannot be interdicted at this juncture. The Speaker will be violating the law if he does not act under the 10th Schedule in the instant case: Singhvi tells HC

13:04 IST

Speaker is 71 years old. No office was conducted during Corona. Rajya Sabha elections from Rajasthan have been postponed. How can the Petitioners say that the Speaker has jumped the gun?: Singhvi tells HC

12:26 IST

The case before the High Court is much worse and the Petitioners are asking the Court to do something indirectly what it can do directly: Singhvi tells HC 

12:24 IST

"The Speaker can do right or wrong. The Speaker has the right to be wrong. This petition is based on the show-cause notice issued by the Speaker. Unless Speaker has disqualified you, you cannot approach in the interim: Singhvi tells HC 

11:34 IST

The Speaker can do right or wrong and has the right to be wrong. This plea is based on the show-cause notice issued by the Speaker. Unless Speaker has disqualified you, you cannot approach in the interim: Abhishek Manu Singhvi

11:08 IST

Speaker's counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi referred to Keisham judgment in which the SC recently held that the court cannot interfere in Speaker’s power before any decision is made on disqualification.

11:03 IST

Lawyer Abhishek Singhvi, representing Rajasthan Speaker CP Joshi tells court that Speaker's order can be challenged only on limited ground but those grounds aren't mentioned in petition filed by rebel MLAs.

10:58 IST

After Abhishek Manu Singhvi, the court will hear arguments from counsel of Congress leader Mahesh Joshi. Senior counsel Harish Salve, representing Pilot and other rebel MLAs, will then be asked to submit its reply.

10:30 IST

Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who is representing the Speaker, begins his argument.

10:24 IST

Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice Prakash Gupta are hearing the plea challenging disqualification notices by the Rajasthan Speaker.

10:15 IST

Hearing on anti-disqualification plea by Pilot camp begins in Rajasthan HC.

10:14 IST

Rajasthan high court will begin its hearing at 10 am today. After the speaker of the Assembly, Congress leader Mahesh Joshi’s side will be presented by senior advocates AK Bhandari and NK Maloo.

10:11 IST

Congress MLA claims Sanjay Jain asked him to meet former CM and BJP leader Vasundhara Raje.