Rajasthan Political Crisis: Gehlot Calls Cabinet Meeting Tonight; Protesting MLAs Disperse From Raj Bhavan

While speaking with reporters outside Raj Bhavan, Rajasthan Transport Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said that the protest outside the governor's residence will continue indefinitely.

Ashok Gehlot along with senior Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala, Avinash Pandey and Ajay Maken arrives to address media, outside a hotel in Jaipur. (Image: PTI)

Jaipur: In what looks like a further extension to the ongoing political crisis in Rajasthan, Congress MLAs and other supporting Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday sat on a protest outside Raj Bhavan demanding the permission to start proceedings in the state assembly. The sit-in protest was called by the MLAs supporting Gehlot, after the CM met Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra earlier in the day to convene the assembly. However, hours later, all the MLAs and supporters of Congress party dispersed from Raj Bhavan and returned to their hotel. While speaking to reporters, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said that Rajasthan Governor has given assurance that he will abide by the Constitution and take decision without any pressure. As per latest update, CM Gehlot has called for a cabinet meeting today at 9:30 pm in Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur to discuss some changes to proposal letter for assembly session to governor and send it again. While speaking with reporters outside Raj Bhavan, Rajasthan Transport Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas had said that the protest outside the governor's residence will continue indefinitely.

#WATCH Rajasthan: Congress MLAs supporting Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot sit and raise slogans at Raj Bhawan.

The Chief Minister had met Governor Kalraj Mishra this afternoon over the issue of the convening of the Assembly Session. pic.twitter.com/m6XhwwMuM2 — ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2020

Before arriving at Governor's residence, Gehlot held a meeting with all MLAs and even spoke to media stating that the Congress party wants an Assembly session from Monday. Earlier in the day, Rajasthan CM had also alleged that the Governor was under Centre's pressure to not call an Assembly session. Gehlot and MLAs from his camp reached the Raj Bhavan on Friday afternoon and were seen raising slogans. Soon after the High Court gave a breather to the rival Sachin Pilot camp, Gehlot fixed an appointment at 12.30 pm with Governor Kalraj Mishra. However, he later changed his strategy and called a meeting of supporting MLAs at Fairmont Hotel. The MLAs reached the hotel around 2.30 pm in four buses. They are currently sitting in the Raj Bhavan lawn at the time of filing of this report. During his meeting with Gehlot, Rajasthan Governor sought more time to resume Assembly session as the matter is in the Supreme Court. Reacting to the development, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has asked the Central government to deploy Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Raj Bhavan. BJP leader GC Kataria urged Centre to use all legal means necessary to drive out the MLAs protesting outside Raj Bhavan. Meanwhile, AICC spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted to accuse the BJP of "turning the Constitution into a circus". "BJP has made Sanvidhan a circus, democracy a Draupadi, and public mandate has been held hostage. Don't forget the fate of the Kauravas who performed 'cheerharan' and now the public of Rajasthan playing the role of (Lord) Krishna shall also expose the BJP," he tweeted. Gehlot had met the Governor even on Thursday, requesting for an Assembly Session from Monday. However, the Governor has not yet confirmed the same.