Rajasthan crisis: Congress chief whip moves SC, seeks interim stay on Rajasthan HC order

On Friday, Mahesh Joshi- Congress chief whip in Rajasthan Assembly moved Supreme Court seeking an interim stay on operation of HC order dated July 24. A division bench of Rajasthan HC comprising Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice Prakash Gupta had ordered a "status quo" on Assembly Speaker's tices issued to sacked Deputy CM Sachin Pilot and 18 or Congress MLAs. In his petition, Joshi mentioned that he instituted disqualification petitions before Assembly Speaker under tenth schedule of Constitution.

Congress chief whip contended that he had been able to demonstrate a prima facie case in his favour. According to him, various verdicts have consistently maintained that judicial review of proceedings under tenth schedule is available only at st after prouncement of Speaker's order. Arguing against current status of Pilot camp's 19 MLAs, Joshi contended that persons who transgress tenth schedule have right to continue as MLAs/MPs even for a single day. petition also demanded a stay on furr proceedings in Pilot camp's plea before Rajasthan HC. 

Read: Rajasthan Govt Crisis LIVE Updates: CM Defends BSP MLAs' Merger; Some MLAs Reach Jaisalmer

Read: Goa Congress Submits Memorandum Over Rajasthan Political Crisis

rift within Rajasthan Congress

Pilot’s departure to Delhi with some of his supporting legislators on July 11 set off alarm bells in Congress camp. rift between CM Ashok Gehlot and him widened after legislators belonging to his camp skipped two Legislative Party meetings. Despite Pilot's insistence that he will t join BJP, Congress party sacked him as Deputy CM and PCC chief. 

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Goverr Kalraj Mishra on Wednesday approved state government's proposal to summon Assembly session from August 14. This development came a few hours after Ashok Gehlot-led government sent a revised proposal to Rajasthan Goverr containing a response to all his queries. Mishra has given directions for additional precautions to be taken during Assembly session for prevention of COVID-19.  session is being perceived as an opportunity for Congress government to prove its majority amid challenge posed by 19 MLAs of Sachin Pilot camp. 

Read: Rajasthan Guv Rejects Cong Charge Over Assembly Session, Says 'Constitution Is Supreme'