BSP MLAs' merger with Cong: HC seeks Rajasthan Speaker's response

The Rajasthan High Court has sought the response of Assembly Speaker CP Joshi on a plea challenging the merger of BSP legislators with Congress. The court asked Joshi to file his reply by tomorrow.

Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to Assembly Speaker CP Joshi on petitions filed by BJP leader Madan Dilawar and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and against the merger of six BSP MLAs in the state with the Congress party.

A division bench of Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Prakash Gupta issued notice to Joshi and directed him to file a response in the matter by tomorrow. The matter will now come up for further hearing at 10:30 on Thursday.

The BSP had on Tuesday moved an appeal before the High Court against a single-judge bench order, which it said had refused to put the merger on abeyance.

The court had, on July 30, heard the petitions challenging the merger and issued notices to the Speaker, Secretary of the Legislative Assembly and six BSP MLAs in the state asking them to file their reply by August 11.

The High Court, in relief for Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot-led government, had earlier dismissed Dilawar's previous plea seeking directions to quash the merger, which had helped the ruling party in retaining a majority in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.

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The development comes as Rajasthan Congress is reeling in a political crisis after simmering differences between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his deputy Sachin Pilot came out in the open. Pilot, along with 18 other MLAs supporting him, is reportedly staying at a Haryana hotel.

Congress has accused the BJP of attempting to topple the Gehlot-led government in Rajasthan. A charge denied by the BJP.

(ANI Report)