Rajasthan: Ashok Gehlot Resends Proposal To Start Assembly Session From July 31; Cites COVID, Not Floor Test

Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra had earlier refused CM Gehlot's request to commence an assembly session concerning the increasing Coronavirus cases in the state.

Photo: AFP

After Rajasthan Governor refused Ashok Gehlot's request to commence an assembly session, the Chief Minister on Sunday sent a second proposal to Mishra, requesting him to start the state assembly session to discuss bills. According to the reports, the proposed date is July 31 and the agency mentioned in the proposal is Coronavirus pandemic, not the 'floor test'. Amid the ongoing political crisis in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said that an assembly session will be called soon and also claimed that his Congress-led government will prove its majority. Gehlot held a press conference demanding governor Kalraj Mishra to hold assembly session starting from Monday. "I want to request the Rajasthan governor again to call for an assembly session by Monday so, we could discuss the difficulties faced in the COVID times and also prove majority in the house", said CM Gehlot However, the Governor refused CM Gehlot's request to commence an assembly session concerning the increasing Coronavirus cases in the state. On this, Gehlot attacked governor Kalraj Mishra and said that he should go by the rules and immediately call for a session if the CM is requesting for it. Gehlot alleged that the Governor was under pressure from above not to summon a session, hinting that the BJP government at the Centre was involved in the tussle for power in the state. CM Gehlot also warned the governor and said," If the call for assembly session is not issued the government is not responsible for any kind of mass protests outside the Raj Bhavan." Gehlot along with his loyalist Congress MLAs on Friday paraded to the Raj Bhavan and squatted on the lawns for several hours, demanding that Governor Kalraj Mishra should summon a session of the Vidhan Sabha so that they can prove their majority. Reacting to Gehlot's statement, Rajasthan BJP has submitted a memorandum to Governor stating that Chief Minister's threat suggesting gherao of Raj Bhawan and expressing an inability of ensuring security is a clear violation under IPC section 124. Meanwhile, Supreme Court will hear the petition filed by Rajasthan Speaker against the rebel MLAs pertaining to former deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot's camp on Monday at 11 am. ALSO WATCH | Rajasthan: CM Gehlot demands Assembly session on July 31