Rajasthan Governor agrees to call session, Cong MLAs end dharna at Raj Bhawan

Jaipur, July 24

Congress MLAs in the Ashok Gehlot camp on Friday ended a five-hour dharna at the Raj Bhawan after Governor Kalraj Mishra assured that he would call a session of the state Assembly.

Mishra, however, wanted the government's clarification on some points before he makes the announcement, Congress leaders said as they emerged from the Raj Bhawan.

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said these points would be taken care of at a Cabinet meeting which was called by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at 9.30 pm.

The MLAs went to the Raj Bhawan in the afternoon, complaining that the Governor was sitting on the letter that the Cabinet had sent seeking an Assembly session on Monday.

The MLAs led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot arrived at Raj Bhawan on four buses from a hotel on the city outskirts where they have been camping for the last few days.

Also read: Rajasthan political crisis: HC orders status quo on Speaker's notice to rebel Cong MLAs

Before heading for the Raj Bhawan, Gehlot said he had requested Governor Kalraj Mishra on Thursday to call a session of the Assembly on Monday but there had been no word from him so far.

He threatened that if the demand for the session was not met, the MLAs would “not be responsible” if people gherao the Raj Bhawan.

The Chief Minister claimed the Governor was under pressure not to call an Assembly session.

Earlier in the day, Gehlot called a meeting at the hotel and also addressed mediapersons, telling them that the Congress wants an Assembly session from Monday.

At the Raj Bhawan, while Gehlot met the Governor inside, the MLAs squatted on the laws, shouting slogans. The Governor came out to meet them, but the MLAs later said they were starting a dharna.

The Rajasthan High Court on Friday ordered maintaining status quo on the disqualification notices sent by the Speaker to Sachin Pilot and 18 other dissident MLAs.

The Pilot camp had moved the High Court against the notices under which they face possible disqualification from the state Assembly. PTI

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