India / Raj CM Gehlot flashes victory sign as 107 MLAs turn up for meeting

Jaipur: The twists and turns in Rajasthan potboiler are far from over, and the latest in it is the Congress MLAs being bused to a resort to keep the flock together. Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot is also reported to have boarded the bus along with his legislators.

CM Gehlot had called the legislature party meeting this afternoon to flaunt lawmakers supporting his government, smiled broadly for the cameras and even flashed the victory sign, a rebuttal to his deputy Sachin Pilot, who claimed last evening that Gehlot-led government had been reduced to a minority. Pilot’s camp had claimed the support of 30 MLAs.

The messaging from Pilot forced the Congress to call for a press briefing at 2:30 am late last night saying it had the support o f 109 MLAs.

In the 200-member house the majority mark is 101. The congress before Pilot decided to rebel, had a strength of 107 MLAs and support from other independents.

The MLAs were seen boarding buses headed towards a hotel after their meeting at the CM residence.

The meeting endorsed the leadership of Ashok Gehlot and blamed the BJP for “ripping of the democracy” by trying to destabilise an elected government. It also called for action against those working against the interests of the party.

“This meet urges that strict disciplinary action be taken against any office bearer or member of legislature party who indulge in activities against the Congress government, party or gets involved in any conspiracy,” read the resolution.

“All is well,” minister Mamta Bhupesh told news agency PTI before boarding one of the buses.

A few weeks ago ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls, the Congress had shifted its MLAs to a resort for about a week to ensure that they were not “lured” away before the voting.

Before the meeting of lawmakers started at the chief minister’s official residence, Randeep Surjewala declared that the party hadn’t shut its doors on Sachin Pilot. The Congress leadership has spoken to Pilot a number of times over the last 48 hours and if anyone is upset in a family, they should be sitting together with other members to work things out.

“On behalf of Congress leadership, including Sonia ji and Rahul ji, I convey that doors of Congress party are always open for Sachin ji or any member,” Surjewala said.

There has been no word from Sachin Pilot’s camp about his next step. The deputy CM’s aide told HT this morning that the leader is not joining the BJP. At the state party headquarters, party workers had taken down posters and banners that had a photograph of the state unit chief.