Rajasthan HC to pronounce verdict on plea of Sachin Pilot & 18 other MLAs on July 24

On Tuesday, a two-judge bench of Rajasthan HC comprising Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice Prakash Gupta reserved order on plea filed by Sachin Pilot and 18 or Congress MLAs challenging disqualification tice issued to m by Assembly Speaker. After conclusion was reached despite arguments being heard till Monday evening, hearing recommenced at 10.30 am on Tuesday. Senior vocate Mukul Rohatgi concluded arguments for petitioners.

During hearing, bench allowed application of intervener Public Against Corruption, an NGO.  Later, all parties were directed to submit ir written submissions by 2 pm. Rajasthan HC will prounce its verdict on July 24. Most importantly, Assembly Speaker has been requested t to take any coercive action against Pilot and 18 or Congress MLAs until verdict is prounced.

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Arguments in court

Earlier, Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi appearing for Speaker h argued that petition was premature as Speaker was yet to take a decision on disqualifying MLAs. He maintained that re court could intervene at this juncture. Moreover, he ded that Speaker was supreme as far as Legislative Assembly is concerned and that re was need to record reasons in show-cause tice.

However, Pilot camp stressed that party whip applies only when Assembly is in session. Congress party h sought action against Pilot and or rebel MLAs under 2(1)(a) of 10th Schedule of Constitution. This provision disqualifies legislators if y "voluntarily" give up membership of party which y represent in House. 

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increasing rift between Pilot and Gehlot

On July 13,  Congress Legislative Party in Rajasthan passed a resolution unanimously supporting state government led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.  MLAs also condemned all acts intended to weaken government. y also called for strict disciplinary action to be taken against any Congress MLA or office-bearer of party directly or indirectly involved in anti-party activities.

Sachin Pilot and his loyalists stayed away from this meeting. Furrmore, y rejected Congress party's overtures by refusing to attend second CLP meeting convened on July 14. Subsequently, Pilot was sacked as Rajasthan Deputy CM and PCC chief. After Assembly Speaker issued a disqualification tice to Pilot camp, y moved Rajasthan HC to quash tice. 

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(With PTI inputs)