Gehlot tries to keep Cong flock together, holds meet with MLAs

Amidst the alleged poaching bid by BJP ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot held a meeting with his MLAs, who were earlier taken to a resort. Apart from Gehlot, senior central Congress leaders were also present.

Jaipur (Rajasthan): Ahead of the June 19 elections to the Rajya Sabha, the Congress in Rajasthan is on its toes keeping its flock together, as Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot held a meeting with all his MLAs at a hotel in Jaipur on Friday.

Amidst the alleged poaching bid by opposition BJP and the fear of cross-voting, Gehlot discussed the poll strategy with his MLAs at the JW Marriot. The MLAs, who were earlier put up at a resort, were later shifted to the hotel. Apart from Gehlot, deputy CM Sachin Pilot, spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala, state in-charge Avinash Pandey and General Secretary, Organisation, K.C. Venugopal, who is contesting the RS polls from Rajasthan, were present at the meeting.

Along with the Congress MLAs, the independent legislator and BTP MLAs too were present at the meeting.

According to reports, all the MLAs proceeded to have dinner with Gehlot post the meeting.

While many MLAs, including deputy CM Pilot left the hotel later, Gehlot and a few other MLAs reportedly stayed back.

Gehlot should prove allegations: BJP

The development comes as the Congress is trying to corner BJP on the issue of horse-trading while the latter has rejected the charge. State party president Satish Punia said that it is incorrect and this news is being circulated due to internal rifts in the Congress.

Read:Gehlot has become mentally unstable, says whatever comes to his mind: Satish Poonia

Punia demanded that Gehlot should come forward to prove these allegations or else he should apologise to people and MLAs for insulting them. "He should either stop telling lies or else we all have legal routes open for us too," he warned

All Congress MLAs united: Gehlot

All Congress MLAs stand united to defeat the fascist forces, Gehlot said, adding that 13 Independents and 2 BTP MLAs have promised to support the Congress in Rajasthan.

Read:Democracy in danger as BJP intends to ensure one-party rule: Gehlot

"The democracy today is under threat. We have no enmity with the RSS or the BJP but we have a fight of ideology, policies and programmes. They should also do this. The public should pressure the government and ask what it has done for them," he said.

Rajasthan Special Operations Group to probe alleged poaching bid

Meanwhile, Gehlot, addressing the media on Friday, revealed that the complaint pertaining to horse-trading in Rajasthan has been made to the SOG.

According to reports, late last night, SOG's ERT team at the highway was checking all vehicles coming into Jaipur from Delhi.

Read:Rajasthan Special Operations Group to probe alleged MLA poaching bid by BJP