Rajasthan: Cong claims 'BTP MLAs with us' despite Party's whip to not vote in floor test

Contrasting Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) decision to refrain from voting, Rajasthan Congress Secretary Chetan Dudi, on Monday, claimed that BTP's 2 MLAs were in support of Ashok Gehlot government. Dudi added that 2 MLAs - who are currently holed up at Fairmont Hotel with or Gehlot supporting MLAs - had attended CLP meeting. Congress has claimed support of 109 MLAs and has called all its MLAs - including Sachin Pilot - to attend a CLP meeting on Tuesday.

Rajasthan crisis: Setback for CM Gehlot as BTP decides to abstain in a floor test scenario

Congress claims 'BTP MLAs with us'

Rajasthan Govt Crisis LIVE Updates: Congress calls for ar CLP meet; Pilot to skip it

BTP issues whip to MLAs

Earlier in day, BTP issued a whip directing its two MLAs to abstain from voting if a floor test takes place. BTP, founded by Gujarat MLA Chhotubhai Vasava in 2017, had voted for Congress party's candidates in Rajya Sabha polls held in June. In letter addressed to MLAs, BTP national president Maheshbhai Vasava also stressed that y should t vote for Sachin Pilot or BJP eir. He warned of disciplinary action if MLAs violated party whip.

'Sachin Pilot Zindabad' slogans raised by Pilot camp, posters put back up at party office

'Only 84 MLAs attended CLP meet': Sources

Contrary to Congress claims that 107 MLAs were present at Congress CLP meet on Monday, sources have told Republic TV that only 84 Congress MLAs were present in meeting which concluded at CM Gehlot's residence in Rajasthan. This reduces Congress' numbers in Rajasthan Assembly from 107 to 84, putting it in a mirity. While Deputy CM Sachin Pilot claims to have support of 30 MLAs, BJP currently has 72 MLAs and 13 are independent MLAs in 200-member assembly.

Rajasthan: Congress calls for ar CLP meet, Surjewala claims Gehlot's majority intact

Current Rajasthan turmoil

final straw for Pilot's rebellion came when  Rajasthan's Special Operations Group (SOG) issued tices to CM Ashok Gehlot, Deputy CM Pilot, multiple MLAs in connection with alleged involvement of BJP leaders for toppling state government - with BJP members hinting that Pilot was reportedly in touch with BJP camp to become CM. In response to FIR,  Pilot arrived in Delhi with 22 MLAs on Saturday, seeking an audience with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to apprise her of neglect meted out by state officials, SOG probe against him, being igred by Central leadership. Though both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi have reportedly contacted Pilot to placate him, Pilot himself met with Congress-turned-BJP MP Jyotiraditya Scindia in Delhi. Meanwhile, Gehlot's camp reportedly intends to replace Pilot as Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) chief with Raghuveer Meena.