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Rajasthan Political Crisis: CM Gehlot to chair legislature party meet at 11 am today

Rajasthan Political Crisis

Rajasthan Political Crisis

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Published : Jul 19, 2020, 1:25 PM IST

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Updated : Jul 21, 2020, 6:53 AM IST

00:49 July 21

Poonia condemns Gehlot for his language

Jaipur: BJP Rajasthan president Satish Poonia on Monday condemned Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for his choice of words for his party leaders, saying this shows he and his government is "morally weak".

It is unfortunate the chief minister is using this kind of language. It is their infighting but they are blaming BJP for it, he said.

He said the government work is suspended and people are suffering but the government is not bothered about it.

He said it is like an "indirect emergency" in Rajasthan.

Responding to chief minister's allegations that Poonia and deputy leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore recently went to Delhi secretly, Poonia said he keeps on going Delhi for party-related work but he did neither go to Manesar nor he met any dissident Congress MLA.

PTI

00:47 July 21

Gehlot calls Pilot names, MLA alleges he was offered crores to join BJP

Jaipur/New Delhi: The Ashok Gehlot camp on Monday sharpened its attack on Sachin Pilot, with the chief minister calling him useless and another loyalist alleging that the dissident Congress leader himself offered him crores to switch sides.

Pilot reacted sharply, saying he will take the MLA to court.

The harshest words spoken during the day came from Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot who used the derogatory term nikkama, Hindi for useless or incompetent, for the sacked deputy chief minister, with whom he is now locked in a tussle for power.

Referring to Pilot's performance as the state Congress chief, Gehlot said, We knew he is `nikamma' (useless), he is `nakara' (idle) and not doing any work.

Gehlot did not mention Pilot by name, referring once to him as his young colleague and recalling that he had been given important posts by the party at an early age.

Pilot ignored these remarks but reacted strongly to allegations made by Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga, who claimed that he was offered money by Pilot to join the Bharatiya Janata Party.

He said talks were held at Pilot's residence and he later told Gehlot about the conspiracy.

He did not disclose the amount that was discussed, but when reporters asked if it was Rs 30- 35 crore, Malinga said he was offered the "going rate".

Malinga is part of a group of six Bahujan Samaj Party MLAs, which was inducted last September into the Congress which then had a slim majority in the assembly.

Pilot rejected Malinga's allegation as baseless, saying it was levelled to malign him and stifle the legitimate concerns he had raised against the party's leadership in Rajasthan.

I will be taking appropriate and strictest possible legal action against the MLA who was made to make these accusations, he said in a statement.

22:45 July 20

CM to chair legislature party meet at 11 am on Tuesday

The legislature party meeting, which was scheduled to be held at 9:30 pm, has been postponed till 11 am on Tuesday.

The meeting will be chaired by chief minister Ashok Gehlot at the Fairmount hotel in Jaipur.

22:37 July 20

Retired Retired High Court judge explains all about phone tampering

Retired High Court judge explains all about phone tampering

Amit political turmoil in the state, a retired judge of Rajasthan High Court, Pana Chand Jain elucidated queries related to phone tampering. He explained what is phone tampering, what are its provisions and who is the right authority to give permission for it.

22:17 July 20

Rajasthan ACB asks dissident Cong MLAs to appear within 3 Days

The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau issued notices to dissident Congress MLAs Bhanwarlal Sharma and Vishvendra Singh to appear before it within three days for an investigation into an alleged plot to topple the state government.

The ACB had registered an FIR against Bhanwarlal under the Prevention of Corruption Act on July in connection with two audiotapes, which allegedly indicate a plot to bring down the Congress government in the state.

22:16 July 20

Hemaram Chowdhary, an MLA from the Pilot camp

Hemaram Chowdhary demands apology from CM Gehlot

Hemaram Chowdhary, an MLA from the Pilot camp, demanded an apology for Ashok Gehlot's comments on Sachin Pilot.

"People of the state know who is corrupt and who is not. So, please refrain from slapping allegations of corruption (on Pilot). Please issue an apology to the public for your comments, and stay away from making such comments in future," he said.

22:15 July 20

Congress MLA Vishvendra Singh Bharatpur

I am not afraid of such jackals says rebel MLA Vishvendra Singh Bharatpur

Taking a dig at Gehlot camp, suspended Congress MLA Vishvendra Singh Bharatpur said that he is not afraid of such jackals.

"I appeal to all of you family members not to be confused, the Bharatpur royal family has served you and we have always been receiving your love and blessings, and continue to maintain it in the same way," he tweeted.

21:40 July 20

State govt revokes general consent for CBI investigation

The state government revoked the general consent under section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, which is required for CBI investigation.

The notification said that prior consent of Rajasthan govt shall be required to be taken on a case-to-case basis for investigation of any offence or class of offences under section 3 of DSPE Act, 1946 by Delhi Special Police Establishment.

21:35 July 20

#RahulGandhi ji's deep concern regarding national issues is revealed through his videos & interviews. He is most worried about the present state of affairs as every citizen is. BJP has no answer to the issues that Rahul ji has raised. They only criticize Rahul ji.
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) July 20, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
#RahulGandhi ji's deep concern regarding national issues is revealed through his videos & interviews. He is most worried about the present state of affairs as every citizen is. BJP has no answer to the issues that Rahul ji has raised. They only criticize Rahul ji.
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) July 20, 2020
">
#RahulGandhi ji's deep concern regarding national issues is revealed through his videos & interviews. He is most worried about the present state of affairs as every citizen is. BJP has no answer to the issues that Rahul ji has raised. They only criticize Rahul ji.
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) July 20, 2020

Taking to Twitter, CM Ashok Gehlot said that Rahul Gandhi's deep concern regarding national issues is revealed through his videos and interviews.

"He is most worried about the present state of affairs as every citizen is. BJP has no answer to the issues that Rahul ji has raised. They only criticize Rahul ji," he added.

20:49 July 20

Advocates speaking to media

'Court has no right to interfere as final decision yet to come by speaker'

Advocate Abhay Bhandari said that the court has no right to interfere in the matter as the final decision has not been given by the speaker so far.

Meanwhile, Poonam Chand Bhandari, who became a party in this case on behalf of India Against Corruption, said that he will also present her case in this matter on Tuesday.

20:29 July 20

BJP state president Satish Poonia addressing the media

Congress 'villain' in state but shifting the blame on BJP, says Poonia

BJP state president Satish Poonia has shown his concern over the language used by the CM Gehlot to raise questions on Pilot's credibility amid the political crisis in the state.

Speaking to media, Poonia said, "Congress party is the 'villain' in the state but it is shifting the blame on the BJP."

He also said that it has been more than 10 days but still, state government and its legislators are busy enjoying in the hotel.

"If the current situation in the state is investigated by the CBI them I am sure that reality will come to the fore," added Poonia.

19:45 July 20

CM Gehlot calls legislature party meet at 9:30 pm

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has called for a legislature party meet at 9:30 pm today. The meeting will be held at the Fairmount hotel in Jaipur.

19:31 July 20

CPI (M) MLA Girdharilal Mahiya speaking to ETV Bharat

CPI (M) MLA denies bribery offer rumours

CPI (M) legislator Girdharilal Mahiya quashed the rumours that he was approached to be bribed amid the political crisis in the state.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Mahiya said that no one contacted him and he was neither in touch with the Congress nor with the BJP.

"It's all baseless that I was approached by a political party. I was just going about my business and was not in touch with any other political party. If anyone has any doubt he can go ahead and get my call details checked," he added.

Mahiya further added that there is no such a currency which can buy him.

18:35 July 20

Hearing to resume at 10:30 am on Tuesday

High Court deferred the hearing on the petition filed by Sachin Pilot and 18 other Congress MLAs against disqualification notices till 10.30 am on Tuesday.

17:34 July 20

Attempt to defame, attack my credibility: Pilot

Sachin Pilot has strongly denied allegations by a Congress MLAs that he was offered money by the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister to switch sides to the BJP as part of his attempts to topple the Ashok Gehlot government in the state.

Hitting out at CM Gehlot, Pilot said, "I'm saddened but not surprised to be at receiving end of such baseless, vexatious allegations being levelled against me."

He said this to agencies on Congress MLA Giriraj Singh's allegation that Pilot offered him Rs 35 crores to cross vote in Rajya Sabha polls.

"I will be taking appropriate and strictest possible legal action against the MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga who was made to make these accusations. I am sure more such concocted allegations will be thrown at me to cause aspersions on my public image. But I shall be unfettered and remain firm in my beliefs and convictions.

He further said, "This is done solely to malign me and to stifle legitimate concerns I raised against Rajasthan party leadership, as member and MLA of Congress. This attempt further aims at defaming me and attack my credibility. The narrative is being redirected to avoid addressing the main issue."

17:20 July 20

Congress MLAs addressing a press conference

Ex-BSP MLAs who joined Congress show solidarity with Gehlot-led government

The six ex-BSP MLAs who had joined Congress clarified that they are in solidarity with Gehlot government in the state.

Addressing a press conference outside the hotel Fairmount, MLAs set aside all kind of rumours related to the horse-trading and said that they will continue to work under the leadership of chief minister Ashok Gehlot.

"We hope to be with the Congress party till our last breathe and take the state on the path of development," said one of the legislators.

16:46 July 20

BJP Spokesperson Lakshmikant Bhardwaj speaking to media

BJP demands to register case against viral audio of horse-trading

The state BJP demanded the DCP of Jaipur's South to file a case regarding the viral audio of alleged horse-trading.

In Police Commissionerate Jaipur, BJP spokesperson Lakshmikant Bhardwaj submitted a memorandum regarding this to DCP Manoj Kumar.

Speaking to media BJP spokesperson, Laxmikant Bhardwaj said that a complaint was made about the viral video in Ashok Nagar police station but the police did not care to file an FIR.

DCP Kumar assured to file a case after investigating the matter, added Bhardwaj.

15:20 July 20

Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga speaking to media

Sachin Pilot offered me Rs 35 crore to join BJP, says Congress MLA

Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga has alleged that rebel leader Sachin Pilot offered him Rs 35 crore to switch to the BJP but he refused.

Speaking to the media, Malinga said that he had informed CM Ashok Gehlot about Pilot's "offer."

"I was offered money. I had spoken to Pilot, he asked me to switch sides and I refused saying that this is wrong and I will not do it for money," Malinga added.

It is to be noted that Malinga represents Bari constituency.

15:18 July 20

Shekhawat questions audiotapes' authenticity after Rajasthan Police seeks his voice sample

Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat questioned the authenticity of the audio clips, cited by the Congress to allege his involvement in a purported bid to topple the Rajasthan government, and sought to know its source and how the state police got it.

The Rajasthan Police SOG (special operations group), which is probing the case, had earlier sent a notice to Shekhawat, asking him to give his voice sample and record his statement.

Shekhawat said, "They (police) should first clarify about the authenticity of these tapes. Who recorded it and where did the SOG get it from. The investigation should be carried out to find out if these tapes are genuine or not."

14:40 July 20

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot speaking to media

Nobody knew that person with such innocent face will do such thing, says Gehlot

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot called Sachin Pilot useless, using the Hindi word nikamma in a no-holds-barred attack on his former deputy with whom he is locked in a power tussle.

Referring to the dissident leader's tenure as the Pradesh Congress Committee president, Gehlot claimed that nobody raised questions for the sake of the party even when they knew that he didn't work.

We knew he is 'nikamma' (useless), he is 'nakara' (idle) and not doing any work, the chief minister told reporters, his choice of blunt words indicating that there is no chance now of a reconciliation between the two.

The chief minister further said that Rajasthan was the only state where there had been no demand to change the PCC president over the last seven years, suggesting that this was to prevent trouble within the party.

Gehlot said he had talked about a conspiracy to topple his government, but nobody believed that somebody with an innocent face could be involved.

He repeated his remarks about Pilot having a good command over Hindi and English and an influence over the media across the country.

Gehlot accused Pilot of "backstabbing" the Congress, saying it was unfortunate that a PCC president had been trying to make his own party sink by colluding with the BJP.

12:50 July 20

My doors are always open for any kind of enquiry: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

"Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police has sent a notice through my personal secretary. In the notice, they have asked me to record my statement and voice sample," says Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on the notice served to him by SOG.

I first want them to check the authenticity of the audio clips, with whose permission was it recorded? Who recorded it? First they should come out with authenticity. I've already said that my doors are always open for any kind of enquiry," Shekhawat added.

12:15 July 20

Contempt notice issued to Chief Secretary Rajeeva Swarup in former CM bungalow case

The Rajasthan HC has issued a contempt notice to state Chief Secretary Rajeeva Swarup for not following the earlier HC instruction to get the bungalow vacated that was allotted to Vasundhara Raje when she was Chief Minister.

The next hearing in the matter will be held on 10 September.

On September 4, 2019, the High Court had held as 'void' a 2017 amendment which provided former chief ministers — for the remainder of their lives — a government residence, a car, telephone and a staff of 10.

11:46 July 20

Pilot may move SC in case of adverse ruling by Rajasthan HC

Former Rajasthan deputy CM Sachin Pilot might move to the Supreme Court in case High Court gives an adverse ruling on his petition.

11:20 July 20

SOG issues notice to Gajendra Singh Shekhawat; asks him to record statement

The officials of the Special Operation Group (SOG) on Monday issued notice to Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the case of alleged horse-trading of MLAs in Rajasthan.

A notice has been served to the minister through his personal secretary," confirmed Ashok Rathore, additional director-general of police (ADGP), SOG, Rajasthan.

Shekhawat's personal secretary has confirmed of receiving the notice, however, he said the authenticity of the audiotapes must be proved first.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's camp had released three audio clips a few days ago with a purported conversation recorded between Congress MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma, an agent Sanjay Jain and Shekhawat.

A notice in this context has also been sent to Bhanwarlal Sharma and Sanjay Jain has already been arrested.

The SOG had registered two separate first information reports (FIRs) last Friday after Congress chief whip Mahesh Joshi lodged a complaint about three audio tapes which surfaced on Thursday evening and quickly went viral on the social media.

The FIRs identified the rebel MLA from Sardarshahar, Bhanwarlal Sharma, who was later suspended by the party, and Sanjay Jain was arrested by the SOG on Friday night.

The accused named in the FIR have been booked under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code, Rathore said.

10:44 July 20

Court has no jurisdiction in this matter: Abhishek Sighvi

Senior lawyer Abhishek Singhvi, representing Rajasthan Speaker, today told the High Court that Speaker's order can be challenged only on the limited ground but those grounds aren't there in the petition.

Singhvi argued that Judicial Review is absolutely barred in this case. He cited examples including the Jharkhand case and cites, what will happen if the Speaker orders video recordings of Court proceedings

He further argued that until the speaker decides, the Courts have no jurisdiction. It's beyond the jurisdiction of the High Court.

Singhvi cites 2 more judgments with respect to High Court not having jurisdiction: Amrita Rawat And Others vs Speaker and Devinder Sehrawat AAP MLA also cited the Manipur Keisham Meghachandra Singh(authored by J Nariman) to state that it is for the Speaker to decide on the disqualification notices.

The hearing before the Assembly Speaker in the disqualification matter has been deferred till Tuesday in view of the hearing before the High Court.

On Friday, Prateek Kasliwal, appearing for state Legislative Assembly Speaker CP Joshi, said that the petitioners' lawyers have concluded their arguments in the court.

"On Friday the matter was heard in the High Court. Petitioners' lawyers (Harish) Salve and (Mukul) Rohatgi concluded their arguments. The hearing will continue at 10 am on Monday," Kasliwal had told reporters after the hearing outside the court premises.

"Abhishek Manu Singhvi has given an undertaking that the hearing before the Legislative Assembly slated for 5 pm Friday has been deferred till Tuesday," Kasliwal had said.

A division bench of the Rajasthan High Court, headed by Chief Justice Indrajit Mohanty, had on Thursday deferred the hearing on the matter to Friday after Sachin Pilot camp sought to amend their petition against the disqualification notice.

Pilot and the MLAs from his camp approached the Rajasthan High Court over disqualification notice seeking the quashing and setting aside of the show cause notice issued to them on July 14 by the Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.

10:22 July 20

Advocates cause ruckus amid hearing of Pilot's plea against disqualification notice.

Advocate and General Secretary of NGO Public Against Corruption sat on a protest outside the Rajasthan HC where Sachin Pilot's petition is being heard. Both the protesters have demanded that PAC be made a party in the case.

They had earlier filed a petition against the declaration of clause 2(1)(a) of the tenth schedule read with Article 191 as unconstitutional, as demanded by the pilot camp.

"This would lead to a rise in corruption," the had said earlier.

However, they were not allowed to enter the courtroom.

09:59 July 20

Hearing on Sachin Pilot's petition begins in Rajasthan High Court

Hearing on a petition filed by Sachin Pilot & 18 other Congress MLAs against disqualification notices issued to them by the Assembly Speaker is underway before Jaipur Bench of Rajasthan High Court.

Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice Prakash Gupta are hearing the matter.

09:55 July 20

CM Ashok Gehlot sings the song 'hum honge kamyab' along with Congress MLAs at Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur.

CM Ashok Gehlot sang the song 'hum honge kamyab' along with Congress MLAs at Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur.

He met the MLAs on Sunday met the Congress MLAs amid the ongoing political crisis in Rajasthan.

08:21 July 20

Hearing on petition filed by Sachin Pilot to resume in Rajasthan HC at 10 am

The hearing on a writ petition filed by Sachin Pilot and 18 other dissident Congress MLAs from Rajasthan, challenging the disqualification notices issued to them by the state Assembly speaker, will resume in the high court here at 10 am on Monday.

The petition was taken up a by a bench of Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice Prakash Gupta on Friday and arguments were heard.

The proceedings will resume at 10 am on Monday.

The notices to the MLAs were served after the party complained to the speaker that the lawmakers had defied a whip to attend two Congress Legislature Party meetings last week on Monday and Tuesday.

The Pilot camp, however, argues that a party whip applies only when the Assembly is in session.

In its complaint to the speaker, the Congress had sought action against Pilot and the other dissidents under paragraph 2(1)(a) of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution.

The provision disqualifies MLAs if they 'voluntarily' give up the membership of the party that they represent in the House.

06:20 July 20

Congress MLAs supporting Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot watch 'Sholay' at Hotel Fairmont Hotel

Cong MLAs from Gehlot camp spend weekend enjoying 'Lagaan', 'Sholay', antakshari at Jaipur hotel

A day after enjoying antakshari and actor Aamir Khan's blockbuster movie 'Lagaan', Congress MLAs of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's camp lodged at Hotel Fairmont here were spotted watching cult classic hit 'Sholay'.

The Congress MLAs in favour of the state government led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot have been lodged at Hotel Fairmont amid the political turmoil in Rajasthan.

These MLAs were also seen attending cooking classes, playing 'antakshari' and watching Mughal-e-Azam.

22:59 July 19

SOG team reaches Haryana to quiz rebel MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma

A team of the Special Operation Group (SOG) of the Rajasthan police has again reached Manesar in Haryana on Sunday evening to quiz Sardarshahar MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma whose name had surfaced in one of the audiotapes which Rajasthan government says is proof of attempted horse-trading.

21:54 July 19

MHA prepares report of Rajasthan Chief Secy over phone tapping issue

Ministry of Home Affairs has prepared a report of Rajasthan's Chief Secretary over the phone tapping issue in the state, sources said.

After more than three hours of brainstorm, the MHA report has been prepared in the meeting held in the secretariat, now it will be sent to the Union Home Ministry, The report has been kept highly confidential.

20:06 July 19

Rajasthan CM Gehlot meets Congress MLAs lodged at Hotel Fairmont in Jaipur

Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday met the Congress MLAs at Hotel Fairmont in Jaipur where they are lodged.

Rajasthan political crisis has gone to such an extent that two FIRs were registered a couple of days back based on the complaint filed by Congress chief whip Mahesh Joshi about audiotapes, which Congress said, had conversations about an alleged conspiracy to topple the Ashok Gehlot government.

Gajendra Singh, Bhanwarlal Sharma, and Sanjay Jain have been named in the FIR.

Former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot and 18 other MLAs have approached the Rajasthan High Court challenging the disqualification notice issued to them by Assembly Speaker.

Rajasthan Congress continues to remain in turmoil after simmering differences between Sachin Pilot and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot came out in the open.

Pilot was sacked as Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief on July 14. Gehlot has blamed the BJP for attempting to destabilize the state government by poaching MLAs.

Sachin Pilot was miffed after the SOG sent him a notice to record his statement in a case of alleged poaching of Congress MLAs in the state.

19:54 July 19

BJP leader Kiran Maheshwari on Sunday refuted the claims made by the Congress regarding horse-trading of MLAs by the BJP. "All the allegations made by Congress on the BJP are false. The Congress alleges that the BJP and its leaders are plotting to topple the Gehlot government, which is wrong," she said.

19:54 July 19

Congress rebel Sachin Pilot’s petition seeking dismissal of the disqualification notices served to him and his 18 loyalists will be heard tomorrow.

17:19 July 19

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot leaves from Hotel Fairmont in Jaipur.

Congress MLAs supporting CM Gehlot are staying at the hotel.

16:36 July 19

Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan, Gulab Chand Kataria

Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Gulab Chand Kataria on Sunday said that the faith of the Gehlot government will be decided only after the floor test. He said that the Governor will take the call on conducting the floor test. "All the allegations made by Congress on the BJP are false. The Congress alleges that the BJP and its leaders are plotting to topple the Gehlot government, which is wrong," he said.

16:32 July 19

Blaming the BJP for the political drama in Rajasthan, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday asked Sachin Pilot not to leave the grand old party.

Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said that Pilot should not follow Jyotiraditya Scindia into the BJP, as he has a bright future in Congress.

His remarks follow Pilot's open rebellion against the Ashok Gehlot government, which has been on shaky ground with at least 18 legislators backing the rebel leader.

14:33 July 19

Congress leader Ajay Maken

Jaipur: The Congress demanded Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's resignation on Sunday for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to topple the Asok Gehlot government in Rajasthan.

Party leader and former Union minister Ajay Maken said the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Rajasthan police has registered a case in connection with the audiotapes of a purported conversation between Congress MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma, Shekhawat and one Sanjay Jain.

"If Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is claiming that it is not his voice and the reference in the audio clip is of some other Gajendra Singh, then why is he afraid of giving voice samples?" Maken asked.

He said Shekhawat has no moral authority to continue as a Union minister and should resign so that the investigation is not influenced.

Maken also alleged that the police in Haryana and Delhi are giving protection to rebel Congress MLAs from Rajasthan.

He said the Centre is threatening in the name of CBI because it wants to stop the probe into the conspiracy.

13:40 July 19

Gajendra Shekhawat must resign or should be removed

Congress leader Ajay Maken: "Now that Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has been named in the FIR & his voice recognised in the audiotape, why is he holding the post of Union Minister? Congress demands that either he resigns or he is removed so that he can't influence the probe. I heard that he is saying that the voice in the audiotape is not his but of another Gajendra Singh. If it is so, he should give his voice sample & step down from the post until the probe is completed."

13:29 July 19

Pratap Khachariyawas, Rajasthan Minister

Nation Knows Gehlot's honesty

Pratap Khachariyawas, Rajasthan Minister: "MHA jumped into this matter as their political leaders told them they may get trapped as SOG Rajasthan has evidence & audio clip is authentic. The nation knows CM's honesty. He had said if audio is proven to be false, he'll retire from politics. After this, Gajendra Singh, Gulab Chand Kataria, Satish Poonia, Rajendra Rathore declared the audio to be false. Can they give a statement like CM? Narendra Modi and Amit Shah should come to the front, they should say if they will resign. CM has said clearly."

13:17 July 19

Congress MLA Rajendra Guda

Congress MLA Rajendra Guda: "Sanjay Jain (arrested by SOG, Rajasthan Police) had come to me eight months back. He had asked me to meet Vasundhara ji and others. There are other agents like him but they didn't succeed in their attempts. Sanjay Jain had been active for a long time."

13:17 July 19

Gulab Chand Kataria, Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan

BJP had never demanded floor test, not even now

"Govt has the right to tap phone but only after bringing it into knowledge of & approval from Home Dept. No private person is authorised to do it. Some Lokesh Sharma, who is said to be OSD to CM, had done it. He's not authorised, he violated the law. BJP had never demanded floor test, not even now. We are watching their fight. When the time is right & we have to do something, we will discuss and move in that direction. As of now, we are being unnecessarily dragged into this matter," GC Kataria, Leader of Opposition said.

12:49 July 19

Rajasthan Political Crisis: CM Gehlot to chair legislature party meet at 11 am today

Jaipur: Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday demanded a CBI inquiry into the audio tape controversy, alleging that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was misusing government agencies to save his post.

The BJP leader said phone tapping is a violation of privacy and it is conducted after permission from the home department.

"Chief Minister Gehlot is also conspiring to intimidate and threaten legislators by misusing government agencies to remain in power," Kataria told reporters.

"The CBI should conduct an inquiry in the matter," he said. He questioned if the ruling Congress has the majority in the state assembly then why its MLAs have been kept in a hotel.

READ: Taking break from political drama, Rajasthan Cong MLAs watch 'Lagaan' at Hotel Fairmont

There had been infighting between the chief minister and Sachin Pilot since the government formation, which led to the present circumstances, Kataria said.

"All the allegations made by Congress on the BJP are false. The Congress alleges that the BJP and its leaders are plotting to topple the Gehlot government, which is wrong," he said.

As the question mark over the survival of the Congress-led government in the desert state loomed large, two audio clips remained at the centre of the Rajasthan political tangle with attention shifting, even if momentarily, from the Congress' internecine Gehlot vs Sachin Pilot feud to its battle with the BJP.

Rajasthan Police's Anti-Corruption Bureau registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the two clips of conversations purportedly regarding a "conspiracy" to topple Gehlot's rule -- thrown into instability by rebel MLAs led by Pilot.

READ: CBI inquiry will give clean chit, thwart truth: Abhishek Manu Singh on Rajasthan political crisis

00:49 July 21

Poonia condemns Gehlot for his language

Jaipur: BJP Rajasthan president Satish Poonia on Monday condemned Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for his choice of words for his party leaders, saying this shows he and his government is "morally weak".

It is unfortunate the chief minister is using this kind of language. It is their infighting but they are blaming BJP for it, he said.

He said the government work is suspended and people are suffering but the government is not bothered about it.

He said it is like an "indirect emergency" in Rajasthan.

Responding to chief minister's allegations that Poonia and deputy leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore recently went to Delhi secretly, Poonia said he keeps on going Delhi for party-related work but he did neither go to Manesar nor he met any dissident Congress MLA.

PTI

00:47 July 21

Gehlot calls Pilot names, MLA alleges he was offered crores to join BJP

Jaipur/New Delhi: The Ashok Gehlot camp on Monday sharpened its attack on Sachin Pilot, with the chief minister calling him useless and another loyalist alleging that the dissident Congress leader himself offered him crores to switch sides.

Pilot reacted sharply, saying he will take the MLA to court.

The harshest words spoken during the day came from Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot who used the derogatory term nikkama, Hindi for useless or incompetent, for the sacked deputy chief minister, with whom he is now locked in a tussle for power.

Referring to Pilot's performance as the state Congress chief, Gehlot said, We knew he is `nikamma' (useless), he is `nakara' (idle) and not doing any work.

Gehlot did not mention Pilot by name, referring once to him as his young colleague and recalling that he had been given important posts by the party at an early age.

Pilot ignored these remarks but reacted strongly to allegations made by Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga, who claimed that he was offered money by Pilot to join the Bharatiya Janata Party.

He said talks were held at Pilot's residence and he later told Gehlot about the conspiracy.

He did not disclose the amount that was discussed, but when reporters asked if it was Rs 30- 35 crore, Malinga said he was offered the "going rate".

Malinga is part of a group of six Bahujan Samaj Party MLAs, which was inducted last September into the Congress which then had a slim majority in the assembly.

Pilot rejected Malinga's allegation as baseless, saying it was levelled to malign him and stifle the legitimate concerns he had raised against the party's leadership in Rajasthan.

I will be taking appropriate and strictest possible legal action against the MLA who was made to make these accusations, he said in a statement.

22:45 July 20

CM to chair legislature party meet at 11 am on Tuesday

The legislature party meeting, which was scheduled to be held at 9:30 pm, has been postponed till 11 am on Tuesday.

The meeting will be chaired by chief minister Ashok Gehlot at the Fairmount hotel in Jaipur.

22:37 July 20

Retired Retired High Court judge explains all about phone tampering

Retired High Court judge explains all about phone tampering

Amit political turmoil in the state, a retired judge of Rajasthan High Court, Pana Chand Jain elucidated queries related to phone tampering. He explained what is phone tampering, what are its provisions and who is the right authority to give permission for it.

22:17 July 20

Rajasthan ACB asks dissident Cong MLAs to appear within 3 Days

The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau issued notices to dissident Congress MLAs Bhanwarlal Sharma and Vishvendra Singh to appear before it within three days for an investigation into an alleged plot to topple the state government.

The ACB had registered an FIR against Bhanwarlal under the Prevention of Corruption Act on July in connection with two audiotapes, which allegedly indicate a plot to bring down the Congress government in the state.

22:16 July 20

Hemaram Chowdhary, an MLA from the Pilot camp

Hemaram Chowdhary demands apology from CM Gehlot

Hemaram Chowdhary, an MLA from the Pilot camp, demanded an apology for Ashok Gehlot's comments on Sachin Pilot.

"People of the state know who is corrupt and who is not. So, please refrain from slapping allegations of corruption (on Pilot). Please issue an apology to the public for your comments, and stay away from making such comments in future," he said.

22:15 July 20

Congress MLA Vishvendra Singh Bharatpur

I am not afraid of such jackals says rebel MLA Vishvendra Singh Bharatpur

Taking a dig at Gehlot camp, suspended Congress MLA Vishvendra Singh Bharatpur said that he is not afraid of such jackals.

"I appeal to all of you family members not to be confused, the Bharatpur royal family has served you and we have always been receiving your love and blessings, and continue to maintain it in the same way," he tweeted.

21:40 July 20

State govt revokes general consent for CBI investigation

The state government revoked the general consent under section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, which is required for CBI investigation.

The notification said that prior consent of Rajasthan govt shall be required to be taken on a case-to-case basis for investigation of any offence or class of offences under section 3 of DSPE Act, 1946 by Delhi Special Police Establishment.

21:35 July 20

#RahulGandhi ji's deep concern regarding national issues is revealed through his videos & interviews. He is most worried about the present state of affairs as every citizen is. BJP has no answer to the issues that Rahul ji has raised. They only criticize Rahul ji.
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) July 20, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
#RahulGandhi ji's deep concern regarding national issues is revealed through his videos & interviews. He is most worried about the present state of affairs as every citizen is. BJP has no answer to the issues that Rahul ji has raised. They only criticize Rahul ji.
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) July 20, 2020
">
#RahulGandhi ji's deep concern regarding national issues is revealed through his videos & interviews. He is most worried about the present state of affairs as every citizen is. BJP has no answer to the issues that Rahul ji has raised. They only criticize Rahul ji.
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) July 20, 2020

Taking to Twitter, CM Ashok Gehlot said that Rahul Gandhi's deep concern regarding national issues is revealed through his videos and interviews.

"He is most worried about the present state of affairs as every citizen is. BJP has no answer to the issues that Rahul ji has raised. They only criticize Rahul ji," he added.

20:49 July 20

Advocates speaking to media

'Court has no right to interfere as final decision yet to come by speaker'

Advocate Abhay Bhandari said that the court has no right to interfere in the matter as the final decision has not been given by the speaker so far.

Meanwhile, Poonam Chand Bhandari, who became a party in this case on behalf of India Against Corruption, said that he will also present her case in this matter on Tuesday.

20:29 July 20

BJP state president Satish Poonia addressing the media

Congress 'villain' in state but shifting the blame on BJP, says Poonia

BJP state president Satish Poonia has shown his concern over the language used by the CM Gehlot to raise questions on Pilot's credibility amid the political crisis in the state.

Speaking to media, Poonia said, "Congress party is the 'villain' in the state but it is shifting the blame on the BJP."

He also said that it has been more than 10 days but still, state government and its legislators are busy enjoying in the hotel.

"If the current situation in the state is investigated by the CBI them I am sure that reality will come to the fore," added Poonia.

19:45 July 20

CM Gehlot calls legislature party meet at 9:30 pm

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has called for a legislature party meet at 9:30 pm today. The meeting will be held at the Fairmount hotel in Jaipur.

19:31 July 20

CPI (M) MLA Girdharilal Mahiya speaking to ETV Bharat

CPI (M) MLA denies bribery offer rumours

CPI (M) legislator Girdharilal Mahiya quashed the rumours that he was approached to be bribed amid the political crisis in the state.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Mahiya said that no one contacted him and he was neither in touch with the Congress nor with the BJP.

"It's all baseless that I was approached by a political party. I was just going about my business and was not in touch with any other political party. If anyone has any doubt he can go ahead and get my call details checked," he added.

Mahiya further added that there is no such a currency which can buy him.

18:35 July 20

Hearing to resume at 10:30 am on Tuesday

High Court deferred the hearing on the petition filed by Sachin Pilot and 18 other Congress MLAs against disqualification notices till 10.30 am on Tuesday.

17:34 July 20

Attempt to defame, attack my credibility: Pilot

Sachin Pilot has strongly denied allegations by a Congress MLAs that he was offered money by the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister to switch sides to the BJP as part of his attempts to topple the Ashok Gehlot government in the state.

Hitting out at CM Gehlot, Pilot said, "I'm saddened but not surprised to be at receiving end of such baseless, vexatious allegations being levelled against me."

He said this to agencies on Congress MLA Giriraj Singh's allegation that Pilot offered him Rs 35 crores to cross vote in Rajya Sabha polls.

"I will be taking appropriate and strictest possible legal action against the MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga who was made to make these accusations. I am sure more such concocted allegations will be thrown at me to cause aspersions on my public image. But I shall be unfettered and remain firm in my beliefs and convictions.

He further said, "This is done solely to malign me and to stifle legitimate concerns I raised against Rajasthan party leadership, as member and MLA of Congress. This attempt further aims at defaming me and attack my credibility. The narrative is being redirected to avoid addressing the main issue."

17:20 July 20

Congress MLAs addressing a press conference

Ex-BSP MLAs who joined Congress show solidarity with Gehlot-led government

The six ex-BSP MLAs who had joined Congress clarified that they are in solidarity with Gehlot government in the state.

Addressing a press conference outside the hotel Fairmount, MLAs set aside all kind of rumours related to the horse-trading and said that they will continue to work under the leadership of chief minister Ashok Gehlot.

"We hope to be with the Congress party till our last breathe and take the state on the path of development," said one of the legislators.

16:46 July 20

BJP Spokesperson Lakshmikant Bhardwaj speaking to media

BJP demands to register case against viral audio of horse-trading

The state BJP demanded the DCP of Jaipur's South to file a case regarding the viral audio of alleged horse-trading.

In Police Commissionerate Jaipur, BJP spokesperson Lakshmikant Bhardwaj submitted a memorandum regarding this to DCP Manoj Kumar.

Speaking to media BJP spokesperson, Laxmikant Bhardwaj said that a complaint was made about the viral video in Ashok Nagar police station but the police did not care to file an FIR.

DCP Kumar assured to file a case after investigating the matter, added Bhardwaj.

15:20 July 20

Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga speaking to media

Sachin Pilot offered me Rs 35 crore to join BJP, says Congress MLA

Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga has alleged that rebel leader Sachin Pilot offered him Rs 35 crore to switch to the BJP but he refused.

Speaking to the media, Malinga said that he had informed CM Ashok Gehlot about Pilot's "offer."

"I was offered money. I had spoken to Pilot, he asked me to switch sides and I refused saying that this is wrong and I will not do it for money," Malinga added.

It is to be noted that Malinga represents Bari constituency.

15:18 July 20

Shekhawat questions audiotapes' authenticity after Rajasthan Police seeks his voice sample

Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat questioned the authenticity of the audio clips, cited by the Congress to allege his involvement in a purported bid to topple the Rajasthan government, and sought to know its source and how the state police got it.

The Rajasthan Police SOG (special operations group), which is probing the case, had earlier sent a notice to Shekhawat, asking him to give his voice sample and record his statement.

Shekhawat said, "They (police) should first clarify about the authenticity of these tapes. Who recorded it and where did the SOG get it from. The investigation should be carried out to find out if these tapes are genuine or not."

14:40 July 20

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot speaking to media

Nobody knew that person with such innocent face will do such thing, says Gehlot

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot called Sachin Pilot useless, using the Hindi word nikamma in a no-holds-barred attack on his former deputy with whom he is locked in a power tussle.

Referring to the dissident leader's tenure as the Pradesh Congress Committee president, Gehlot claimed that nobody raised questions for the sake of the party even when they knew that he didn't work.

We knew he is 'nikamma' (useless), he is 'nakara' (idle) and not doing any work, the chief minister told reporters, his choice of blunt words indicating that there is no chance now of a reconciliation between the two.

The chief minister further said that Rajasthan was the only state where there had been no demand to change the PCC president over the last seven years, suggesting that this was to prevent trouble within the party.

Gehlot said he had talked about a conspiracy to topple his government, but nobody believed that somebody with an innocent face could be involved.

He repeated his remarks about Pilot having a good command over Hindi and English and an influence over the media across the country.

Gehlot accused Pilot of "backstabbing" the Congress, saying it was unfortunate that a PCC president had been trying to make his own party sink by colluding with the BJP.

12:50 July 20

My doors are always open for any kind of enquiry: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

"Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police has sent a notice through my personal secretary. In the notice, they have asked me to record my statement and voice sample," says Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on the notice served to him by SOG.

I first want them to check the authenticity of the audio clips, with whose permission was it recorded? Who recorded it? First they should come out with authenticity. I've already said that my doors are always open for any kind of enquiry," Shekhawat added.

12:15 July 20

Contempt notice issued to Chief Secretary Rajeeva Swarup in former CM bungalow case

The Rajasthan HC has issued a contempt notice to state Chief Secretary Rajeeva Swarup for not following the earlier HC instruction to get the bungalow vacated that was allotted to Vasundhara Raje when she was Chief Minister.

The next hearing in the matter will be held on 10 September.

On September 4, 2019, the High Court had held as 'void' a 2017 amendment which provided former chief ministers — for the remainder of their lives — a government residence, a car, telephone and a staff of 10.

11:46 July 20

Pilot may move SC in case of adverse ruling by Rajasthan HC

Former Rajasthan deputy CM Sachin Pilot might move to the Supreme Court in case High Court gives an adverse ruling on his petition.

11:20 July 20

SOG issues notice to Gajendra Singh Shekhawat; asks him to record statement

The officials of the Special Operation Group (SOG) on Monday issued notice to Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the case of alleged horse-trading of MLAs in Rajasthan.

A notice has been served to the minister through his personal secretary," confirmed Ashok Rathore, additional director-general of police (ADGP), SOG, Rajasthan.

Shekhawat's personal secretary has confirmed of receiving the notice, however, he said the authenticity of the audiotapes must be proved first.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's camp had released three audio clips a few days ago with a purported conversation recorded between Congress MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma, an agent Sanjay Jain and Shekhawat.

A notice in this context has also been sent to Bhanwarlal Sharma and Sanjay Jain has already been arrested.

The SOG had registered two separate first information reports (FIRs) last Friday after Congress chief whip Mahesh Joshi lodged a complaint about three audio tapes which surfaced on Thursday evening and quickly went viral on the social media.

The FIRs identified the rebel MLA from Sardarshahar, Bhanwarlal Sharma, who was later suspended by the party, and Sanjay Jain was arrested by the SOG on Friday night.

The accused named in the FIR have been booked under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code, Rathore said.

10:44 July 20

Court has no jurisdiction in this matter: Abhishek Sighvi

Senior lawyer Abhishek Singhvi, representing Rajasthan Speaker, today told the High Court that Speaker's order can be challenged only on the limited ground but those grounds aren't there in the petition.

Singhvi argued that Judicial Review is absolutely barred in this case. He cited examples including the Jharkhand case and cites, what will happen if the Speaker orders video recordings of Court proceedings

He further argued that until the speaker decides, the Courts have no jurisdiction. It's beyond the jurisdiction of the High Court.

Singhvi cites 2 more judgments with respect to High Court not having jurisdiction: Amrita Rawat And Others vs Speaker and Devinder Sehrawat AAP MLA also cited the Manipur Keisham Meghachandra Singh(authored by J Nariman) to state that it is for the Speaker to decide on the disqualification notices.

The hearing before the Assembly Speaker in the disqualification matter has been deferred till Tuesday in view of the hearing before the High Court.

On Friday, Prateek Kasliwal, appearing for state Legislative Assembly Speaker CP Joshi, said that the petitioners' lawyers have concluded their arguments in the court.

"On Friday the matter was heard in the High Court. Petitioners' lawyers (Harish) Salve and (Mukul) Rohatgi concluded their arguments. The hearing will continue at 10 am on Monday," Kasliwal had told reporters after the hearing outside the court premises.

"Abhishek Manu Singhvi has given an undertaking that the hearing before the Legislative Assembly slated for 5 pm Friday has been deferred till Tuesday," Kasliwal had said.

A division bench of the Rajasthan High Court, headed by Chief Justice Indrajit Mohanty, had on Thursday deferred the hearing on the matter to Friday after Sachin Pilot camp sought to amend their petition against the disqualification notice.

Pilot and the MLAs from his camp approached the Rajasthan High Court over disqualification notice seeking the quashing and setting aside of the show cause notice issued to them on July 14 by the Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.

10:22 July 20

Advocates cause ruckus amid hearing of Pilot's plea against disqualification notice.

Advocate and General Secretary of NGO Public Against Corruption sat on a protest outside the Rajasthan HC where Sachin Pilot's petition is being heard. Both the protesters have demanded that PAC be made a party in the case.

They had earlier filed a petition against the declaration of clause 2(1)(a) of the tenth schedule read with Article 191 as unconstitutional, as demanded by the pilot camp.

"This would lead to a rise in corruption," the had said earlier.

However, they were not allowed to enter the courtroom.

09:59 July 20

Hearing on Sachin Pilot's petition begins in Rajasthan High Court

Hearing on a petition filed by Sachin Pilot & 18 other Congress MLAs against disqualification notices issued to them by the Assembly Speaker is underway before Jaipur Bench of Rajasthan High Court.

Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice Prakash Gupta are hearing the matter.

09:55 July 20

CM Ashok Gehlot sings the song 'hum honge kamyab' along with Congress MLAs at Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur.

CM Ashok Gehlot sang the song 'hum honge kamyab' along with Congress MLAs at Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur.

He met the MLAs on Sunday met the Congress MLAs amid the ongoing political crisis in Rajasthan.

08:21 July 20

Hearing on petition filed by Sachin Pilot to resume in Rajasthan HC at 10 am

The hearing on a writ petition filed by Sachin Pilot and 18 other dissident Congress MLAs from Rajasthan, challenging the disqualification notices issued to them by the state Assembly speaker, will resume in the high court here at 10 am on Monday.

The petition was taken up a by a bench of Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice Prakash Gupta on Friday and arguments were heard.

The proceedings will resume at 10 am on Monday.

The notices to the MLAs were served after the party complained to the speaker that the lawmakers had defied a whip to attend two Congress Legislature Party meetings last week on Monday and Tuesday.

The Pilot camp, however, argues that a party whip applies only when the Assembly is in session.

In its complaint to the speaker, the Congress had sought action against Pilot and the other dissidents under paragraph 2(1)(a) of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution.

The provision disqualifies MLAs if they 'voluntarily' give up the membership of the party that they represent in the House.

06:20 July 20

Congress MLAs supporting Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot watch 'Sholay' at Hotel Fairmont Hotel

Cong MLAs from Gehlot camp spend weekend enjoying 'Lagaan', 'Sholay', antakshari at Jaipur hotel

A day after enjoying antakshari and actor Aamir Khan's blockbuster movie 'Lagaan', Congress MLAs of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's camp lodged at Hotel Fairmont here were spotted watching cult classic hit 'Sholay'.

The Congress MLAs in favour of the state government led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot have been lodged at Hotel Fairmont amid the political turmoil in Rajasthan.

These MLAs were also seen attending cooking classes, playing 'antakshari' and watching Mughal-e-Azam.

22:59 July 19

SOG team reaches Haryana to quiz rebel MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma

A team of the Special Operation Group (SOG) of the Rajasthan police has again reached Manesar in Haryana on Sunday evening to quiz Sardarshahar MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma whose name had surfaced in one of the audiotapes which Rajasthan government says is proof of attempted horse-trading.

21:54 July 19

MHA prepares report of Rajasthan Chief Secy over phone tapping issue

Ministry of Home Affairs has prepared a report of Rajasthan's Chief Secretary over the phone tapping issue in the state, sources said.

After more than three hours of brainstorm, the MHA report has been prepared in the meeting held in the secretariat, now it will be sent to the Union Home Ministry, The report has been kept highly confidential.

20:06 July 19

Rajasthan CM Gehlot meets Congress MLAs lodged at Hotel Fairmont in Jaipur

Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday met the Congress MLAs at Hotel Fairmont in Jaipur where they are lodged.

Rajasthan political crisis has gone to such an extent that two FIRs were registered a couple of days back based on the complaint filed by Congress chief whip Mahesh Joshi about audiotapes, which Congress said, had conversations about an alleged conspiracy to topple the Ashok Gehlot government.

Gajendra Singh, Bhanwarlal Sharma, and Sanjay Jain have been named in the FIR.

Former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot and 18 other MLAs have approached the Rajasthan High Court challenging the disqualification notice issued to them by Assembly Speaker.

Rajasthan Congress continues to remain in turmoil after simmering differences between Sachin Pilot and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot came out in the open.

Pilot was sacked as Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief on July 14. Gehlot has blamed the BJP for attempting to destabilize the state government by poaching MLAs.

Sachin Pilot was miffed after the SOG sent him a notice to record his statement in a case of alleged poaching of Congress MLAs in the state.

19:54 July 19

BJP leader Kiran Maheshwari on Sunday refuted the claims made by the Congress regarding horse-trading of MLAs by the BJP. "All the allegations made by Congress on the BJP are false. The Congress alleges that the BJP and its leaders are plotting to topple the Gehlot government, which is wrong," she said.

19:54 July 19

Congress rebel Sachin Pilot’s petition seeking dismissal of the disqualification notices served to him and his 18 loyalists will be heard tomorrow.

17:19 July 19

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot leaves from Hotel Fairmont in Jaipur.

Congress MLAs supporting CM Gehlot are staying at the hotel.

16:36 July 19

Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan, Gulab Chand Kataria

Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Gulab Chand Kataria on Sunday said that the faith of the Gehlot government will be decided only after the floor test. He said that the Governor will take the call on conducting the floor test. "All the allegations made by Congress on the BJP are false. The Congress alleges that the BJP and its leaders are plotting to topple the Gehlot government, which is wrong," he said.

16:32 July 19

Blaming the BJP for the political drama in Rajasthan, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday asked Sachin Pilot not to leave the grand old party.

Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said that Pilot should not follow Jyotiraditya Scindia into the BJP, as he has a bright future in Congress.

His remarks follow Pilot's open rebellion against the Ashok Gehlot government, which has been on shaky ground with at least 18 legislators backing the rebel leader.

14:33 July 19

Congress leader Ajay Maken

Jaipur: The Congress demanded Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's resignation on Sunday for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to topple the Asok Gehlot government in Rajasthan.

Party leader and former Union minister Ajay Maken said the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Rajasthan police has registered a case in connection with the audiotapes of a purported conversation between Congress MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma, Shekhawat and one Sanjay Jain.

"If Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is claiming that it is not his voice and the reference in the audio clip is of some other Gajendra Singh, then why is he afraid of giving voice samples?" Maken asked.

He said Shekhawat has no moral authority to continue as a Union minister and should resign so that the investigation is not influenced.

Maken also alleged that the police in Haryana and Delhi are giving protection to rebel Congress MLAs from Rajasthan.

He said the Centre is threatening in the name of CBI because it wants to stop the probe into the conspiracy.

13:40 July 19

Gajendra Shekhawat must resign or should be removed

Congress leader Ajay Maken: "Now that Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has been named in the FIR & his voice recognised in the audiotape, why is he holding the post of Union Minister? Congress demands that either he resigns or he is removed so that he can't influence the probe. I heard that he is saying that the voice in the audiotape is not his but of another Gajendra Singh. If it is so, he should give his voice sample & step down from the post until the probe is completed."

13:29 July 19

Pratap Khachariyawas, Rajasthan Minister

Nation Knows Gehlot's honesty

Pratap Khachariyawas, Rajasthan Minister: "MHA jumped into this matter as their political leaders told them they may get trapped as SOG Rajasthan has evidence & audio clip is authentic. The nation knows CM's honesty. He had said if audio is proven to be false, he'll retire from politics. After this, Gajendra Singh, Gulab Chand Kataria, Satish Poonia, Rajendra Rathore declared the audio to be false. Can they give a statement like CM? Narendra Modi and Amit Shah should come to the front, they should say if they will resign. CM has said clearly."

13:17 July 19

Congress MLA Rajendra Guda

Congress MLA Rajendra Guda: "Sanjay Jain (arrested by SOG, Rajasthan Police) had come to me eight months back. He had asked me to meet Vasundhara ji and others. There are other agents like him but they didn't succeed in their attempts. Sanjay Jain had been active for a long time."

13:17 July 19

Gulab Chand Kataria, Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan

BJP had never demanded floor test, not even now

"Govt has the right to tap phone but only after bringing it into knowledge of & approval from Home Dept. No private person is authorised to do it. Some Lokesh Sharma, who is said to be OSD to CM, had done it. He's not authorised, he violated the law. BJP had never demanded floor test, not even now. We are watching their fight. When the time is right & we have to do something, we will discuss and move in that direction. As of now, we are being unnecessarily dragged into this matter," GC Kataria, Leader of Opposition said.

12:49 July 19

Rajasthan Political Crisis: CM Gehlot to chair legislature party meet at 11 am today

Jaipur: Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday demanded a CBI inquiry into the audio tape controversy, alleging that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was misusing government agencies to save his post.

The BJP leader said phone tapping is a violation of privacy and it is conducted after permission from the home department.

"Chief Minister Gehlot is also conspiring to intimidate and threaten legislators by misusing government agencies to remain in power," Kataria told reporters.

"The CBI should conduct an inquiry in the matter," he said. He questioned if the ruling Congress has the majority in the state assembly then why its MLAs have been kept in a hotel.

READ: Taking break from political drama, Rajasthan Cong MLAs watch 'Lagaan' at Hotel Fairmont

There had been infighting between the chief minister and Sachin Pilot since the government formation, which led to the present circumstances, Kataria said.

"All the allegations made by Congress on the BJP are false. The Congress alleges that the BJP and its leaders are plotting to topple the Gehlot government, which is wrong," he said.

As the question mark over the survival of the Congress-led government in the desert state loomed large, two audio clips remained at the centre of the Rajasthan political tangle with attention shifting, even if momentarily, from the Congress' internecine Gehlot vs Sachin Pilot feud to its battle with the BJP.

Rajasthan Police's Anti-Corruption Bureau registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the two clips of conversations purportedly regarding a "conspiracy" to topple Gehlot's rule -- thrown into instability by rebel MLAs led by Pilot.

READ: CBI inquiry will give clean chit, thwart truth: Abhishek Manu Singh on Rajasthan political crisis

Last Updated : Jul 21, 2020, 6:53 AM IST

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