Rajasthan MLAs join Sachin Pilot in Delhi; Dy CM plots show-of-strength as Gehlot watches

As Rajasthan political tussle unfolds, sources on Sunday informed that fissure between Deputy CM Sachin Pilot and CM Ashok Gehlot has deepened. While Pilot is in Delhi along with his supportive MLAs, sources informed that few independent MLAs who are part of Congress government have also travelled to Delhi. Moreover, in a setback to Gehlot government, y may pull back support to be a part of Sachin Pilot camp. 

Sources said independent MLAs Om Prakash Hudla, Suresh Tank and Khushveer Singh who gave support to Congress from outside have also reached Delhi. Earlier, y had been summoned by state's ACB to allegedly pre-empt any move to topple government.

Deputy CM Pilot is reportedly planning a show of strength before party's high command in Delhi, as per sources. On Saturday night, Rajasthan CM Gehlot had called for a late-night meeting in Jaipur. Top ministers of his camp arrived at Chief Minister's residence. Meanwhile, Pilot met Congress senior leader Ahmed Patel and asserted his position, as per sources. Meanwhile, sources also said that Gehlot is monitoring situation from his residence and ministers in Gehlot camp are enquiring about MLAs' locations from ir respective bodyguards.

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Sachin Pilot in Delhi with 25 MLAs

Amid ongoing allegations regarding horse-trading possibly leading to a collapse of Congress government in Rajasthan, Deputy Chief Minister Pilot arrived in Delhi on Saturday, sources said. Moreover, around 25 Rajasthan MLAs - allegedly supporters of Pilot - have reached Delhi. Sources add that 25 rooms have been booked in ITC Delhi under name of a businessman for se Congress MLAs. Congress coalition holds a 48-seat majority over Opposition - BJP (72), RLP (1) and Independent (1).  

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Rajasthan SOG files FIR

On Saturday, Rajasthan's Special Operations Group (SOG) had registered an FIR against alleged attempt to topple Congress-led government in state. FIR was registered on basis of a conversation between two individuals, whose phones were being tapped. Both primarily accused individuals were arrested and an investigation by SOG is underway.

Meanwhile, BJP refuted all allegations of horsetrading and in turn, attributed destabilization in Rajasthan government to an internal rift amongst Congress leaders. Union Minister and BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, while downplaying all allegations made by Gehlot, stated that it is an attempt by Congress to defame BJP.

READ | Phones of MPs, MLAs are being taped by Rajasthan Police's SOG, alleges RLP leader

Gehlot accuses BJP of horse-trading

On Saturday, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot accused BJP of offering money to Congress leaders in an attempt to topple ruling government. 20 Cong MLAs in Rajasthan late Friday night had also alleged BJP was trying to topple Ashok Gehlot government in state by "luring" legislators, and that top leadership of saffron party was involved in "conspiracy". This move comes four months after Congress government in Madhya Pradesh was toppled by Pilot's peer - Jyotiraditya Scindia and 22 MLAs who resigned from ir posts.

tussle between Congress and BJP began last month in run-up to Rajya Sabha elections, with former levelling similar allegations of horsetrading against latter. However, both Congress candidates, KC Venugopal and Neeraj Dangi, had won Rajya Sabha polls, while BJP had mand to secure one seat for Rajendra Gehlot in Rajya Sabha polls. In assembly of 200, Congress has 107 MLAs, including six who defected to party from BSP last year. party enjoys support of 12 of 13 Independent MLAs in state, while BJP has 72 MLAs and RLP has 3 MLAs.

READ | Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot summons ministers as govt hints at collapse, Pilot skips meeting