Rajasthan Assembly Session: CM Ashok Gehlot Wins Confidence Motion, Says Won't Let Congress Govt Fall

The development comes a day after CM Gehlot chaired the Congress Legislature Party (CPL) meeting at his residence, which was attended by his former deputy Sachin Pilot.

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot along with his former deputy Sachin Pilot. (File Photo/ AFP)

Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday successfully proved his majority in the state Assembly and has managed to win the confidence motion with a voice note after month's long political slugfest. As per reports, the Rajasthan Assembly session has been suspended till August 21. The development comes a day after CM Gehlot chaired the Congress Legislature Party (CPL) meeting at his residence, which was attended by his former deputy Sachin Pilot. Both Gehlot and Pilot came face to face for the first time after a month-long political rumble which began when the former, along with 18 other MLAs, openly rebelled against the chief minister. During the trust vote debate, CM Gehlot told the house that no matter what, he would not let the Congress government in Rajasthan fall. In his speech, Gehlot once again accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of making attempts to topple a stable government in Rajasthan.

Are agencies like ED, CBI and Income Tax department not being misused in the country? When you hold conversation on telephone, don't you say the other person to join you on FaceTime and WhatsApp. Is this good thing in a democracy?: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot in State Assembly pic.twitter.com/xcZ6pUlnct

— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2020

Meanwhile, former deputy CM of Rajasthan spoke to reporters after the Assembly session. He said, "The vote of confidence which was brought by the govt has been passed with a very good majority today in the Rajasthan Assembly. Despite various attempts by the opposition, the result is in favour of government."

Earlier, I was part of the govt but now I am not. It is not important where one sits, but what is in the hearts and minds of people. As far as the seating pattern is considered, it is decided by speaker & party & I don't want to comment on it: Sachin Pilot, Congress #Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/uK2Onwz3sr

— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2020

The BJP on Thursday announced that it will move a no-confidence motion against the Gehlot government when the special Assembly session commences on Friday. Earlier in the day, Pilot also slammed the Opposition over its criticism of the recent political developments in Rajasthan. Pilot described himself as the strongest warrior of the Congress and said he would protect his party at all costs. Pilot has made the remarks during the debate on a motion of confidence moved by the ruling party in the Rajasthan Assembly. During the debate, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Rajendra Rathore mentioned Pilot's name in various matters, including the recent political developments in the state and a Special Operations Group (SOG) notice issued to him. The notice was sent to Pilot after the Rajasthan Police claimed to have stumbled upon a plot to topple the Congress government. "They are taking my name repeatedly. Prior to my seat being changed, I was safe and part of the government. Then I thought why our Speaker and chief whip have given me a seat here? I thought for two minutes and then saw that this is a border," he said. "On one side is the ruling party and on the other is the Opposition. Who is sent to the border? The strongest warrior is sent," Pilot said, interrupting Rathore. Pilot's seat in the House was changed after he was removed as the deputy chief minister. Earlier, he used to sit next to the chief minister. Following the intervention of the party high command, Pilot and 18 rebel MLAs supporting him participated in a Congress Legislature Party meeting held here on Thursday. Earlier, Pilot had also met Gehlot separately. In a House of 200, the Congress has 107 MLAs and the support of Independents and allies. The BJP has 72 members.