Rajasthan Politics: CM Ashok Gehlot Says Assembly Session To Happen Soon, Claims Majority MLAs With Congress

Gehlot also hoped that some of the dissident MLAs, who are led by sacked deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, will also attend the session when it is called very soon.

(File Photo/ AFP)

Jaipur: 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. While speaking to reporters earlier in the day, Gehlot claimed: "The session of the assembly will take place soon. The majority is with us, all Congress MLAs are united." ALSO READ | Sachin Pilot Secures Big Win In SC Against Congress; Says 'Voice Of Dissent Cannot Be Suppressed' Gehlot also hoped that some of the dissident MLAs, who are led by sacked deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, will also attend the session when it is called very soon. "Without them too, we have a full majority and will go to the House on the basis of this majority, and we will prove it", he said. The indication that the Gehlot government is preparing for a floor test in the assembly comes day ahead of the expected pronouncement of a high court order on the disqualification notices sent by the Speaker to the rebel MLAs. But any Rajasthan High Court order will be subject to the outcome of a petition by the Rajasthan Speaker that the Supreme Court is now hearing. The 19 dissident MLAs had filed a petition in the high court, challenging the disqualification notices. Gehlot also said that those who went to court are the ones who were wrong and had been misguided. They (rebel MLAs) are calling us and saying that they are unable to come out, he said, hinting at reports that the legislative members are camping together, just like the ones in his camp. Bouncers are deployed, he alleged. "I hope that some of them, when they come out, will vote with us, the chief minister said, adding that his government is in majority even without their support," he said. Gehlot said the coronavirus pandemic and political issues will be discussed in the assembly session. Targeting Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the chief minister said the audio clips which indicate an alleged plot to topple his government can be sent abroad for forensic tests. Without taking the minister's name, Gehlot questioned why he is not coming forward to give a voice sample. Rejecting the charge that the audio clips are fabricated, he said they can be sent to any forensic science laboratory for examination. "We can send it for FSL testing to America if they have no trust in the Rajasthan government," Gehlot said, adding that the Congress also did not trust the Centre. Why is he not giving a voice test? He should come forward for it, the chief minister said, in an apparent reference to Gehlot whom the party has accused of trying to lure Congress MLAs. Shekhawat, however has, denied the charge that it his voice on tape. Earlier in the day, Supreme Court announced a crucial verdict saying that the State Assembly Speaker CP Joshi can not decide on the disqualification of the 19 rebel MLAs till the top court announces its verdict. A three-judge bench of Justice Arun Mishra, Justice BR Gavai and Justice Krishna Murari was hearing an SLP filed by the State Assembly Speaker CP Joshi against the interim order of the Rajasthan High Court in the matter.