Congress stages demonstrations across Rajasthan against “conspiracy to topple its government”; Guv Mishra says will go by Constitution

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has hinted that his party’s struggle against the alleged efforts by BJP to topple his government will be longer than anticipated. His government would approach President Ram Nath Kovind if the deadlock continues. “We will sit on a dharna outside the PM’s residence and Rashtrapati Bhavan,” said Gehlot after Congress MLAs on July  24 protested at Jaipur’s Raj Bhavan for five hours sloganeering against Governor Kalraj Mishra for refusing to call an assembly session at a short notice to enable CM to prove his majority support. Chairing a meeting of CLP in a hotel on the outskirts of Jaipur on July 25, Gehlot said that the MLAs staying at the Hotel Fairmont might have to stay there for at least 21 days more. A cabinet meeting chaired by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot last night discussed the six points raised by Governor Kalraj Mishra for calling an assembly session. The meeting was held at the chief minister’s residence. “Discussions over the points given by the governor with regards to calling the assembly sessions were held at the meeting,” News 18 says quoting sources. The governor had earlier sought a reply to the six points from the state government, including about the urgency to call a session of the Assembly for a floor test. The cabinet note will be submitted to the Governor. Governor Kalraj Mishra has taken serious note of the alleged attempt at bullying him to accept the demand for calling an assembly session urgently saying he will go by the constitution. The Rajasthan High Court’s decision to hear in detail contesting the anti-disqualification laws by 19 rebel Congress MLAs including sacked Deputy CM  Sachin Pilot has opened up the debate on a law considered settled on the Tenth Schedule of Constitution was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1992. The HC’s acceptance to include the central government in the case as a party as sought by the rebel lawmakers apparently has rattled the Gehlot camp, say sources. The hearing on the case will be resumed on July 27. (edited by PK Chakravarty. image courtesy to The Indian Express)