Gehlot likely to seek trust vote despite Pilot's return

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is likely to conduct a floor test tomorrow despite Sachin Pilot and his camp making their way back to Congress. A floor test will send a strong message across the country and once it is conducted, nothing is likely to change in the next six months.

Jaipur: Despite former deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot and his camp rolling back their rebellion, Ashok Gehlot-led government in Rajasthan is likely to stick to its plan of holding a floor test in the forthcoming special assembly session. The AICC(All India Congress Committee) has formed a three-member panel to redress the grievances of Pilot and other dissident MLAs in a time-bound manner. The Rajasthan High Court today will hear the petition filed against the merger of six BSP MLAs in the state with the Congress party, making the plot murkier.

Even though the 19 dissident MLAs, including the now-sacked PCC Chief Sachin Pilot, have made their way back to the Congress, the party thinks that a floor test is the only way to send a strong message of unity. It has been a chaotic month for Rajasthan marked by intense power tussle that triggered political uncertainty and crisis in the state. Political experts also reiterated that once a floor test is conducted, nothing is likely to change in the upcoming six months.

Not in a mood to take any risk, Gehlot govt, which enjoys the confidence of 107 legislators after Pilot's return, is adamant to conduct a floor test despite BJP not making efforts to do the same. Going for a trust motion will bring relief to the party, thus enabling them to address all the issues raised by their leaders and legislators from both the camps. Congress leaders are of the view that despite BJP making attempts to topple the state govt, floor test will send a strong message across the nation that the govt is stable and safe. The role of the independent legislators in determining the floor test will also play a crucial role.

READ: EXCLUSIVE: Will serve people of Rajasthan till last breath, says Sachin Pilot

Congress MLAs loyal to CM Gehlot returned to Jaipur's Fairmont hotel from Jaisalmer. However, Pilot's team were not invited to Fairmont Hotel and there has been no exchange of dialogue between the two camps. Gehlot loyalists will stay in the Hotel till the assembly session starts on August 14.

The month-long political crisis in Rajasthan appeared to have subdued after a meeting between Sachin Pilot, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi was held. The party also announced the formation of a panel to address the grievances of 42-year old former PCC Chief and 18 rebel legislators, who were locked in a bitter dispute with Gehlot. The Ashok-led Congress govt was facing a huge political crisis in the state but with the return of Pilot camp, the situation seems stable which has signalled an 'amicable resolution'.

According to sources, Congress leader KC Venugopal has reached Jaipur and is expected to meet Gehlot and Pilot separately. It is also being speculated that a legislator meeting can be called to discuss the political developments.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Madan Dilawar has challenged the Rajasthan HC order which had refused to stay the functioning as Congress legislators of six BSP MLAs who after the election to the assembly merged with the ruling party in the state.

Political experts said, "Congress doesn't want to take risk. It is keeping a vigil on the activities of rebels because they may still not trust them. They also want to convey them that are not dependent on them and can pass a floor test easily without their support."

READ: Natural for MLAs to be upset, need to bear to save democracy: Gehlot