Gehlot writes to PM over bid to topple government, names Shekhawat

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, July 22

The Rajasthan political crisis deepened today with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging the role of the Centre in attempts to topple the state government, and the Assembly Speaker moving the apex court against the state High Court orders in the matter related to rebel MLAs, including Sachin Pilot.

The Speaker has urged the top court to set aside the HC order deferring action on dissident lawmakers’ disqualification notices until Friday, contending that the order is “bad in law” and “a direct affront to the powers of the Speaker”. A three-judge Bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra will hear the petition tomorrow at 11 am.

In another development, the ED conducted raids on the Jodhpur premises of CM’s brother Agrasen Gehlot, who is promoter of a fertiliser firm allegedly linked to a money laundering case. After the ED searched the premises assisted by CRPF personnel, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said, “We will not be scared by PM Modi’s raid raj.”

Ashok Gehlot, meanwhile, in his letter to the PM said the state government would complete its term, indicating clarity of political strategy the CM appears to have chalked out. Gehlot also openly accused Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat, few BJP leaders and some overambitious Congress leaders (read Pilot) of involvement in conspiracy to topple the democratically elected Rajasthan Government and said to PM, “History will not spare those participating in these acts.”

The CM also said it was rueful that the “Centre is playing a key role in the conspiracy to dislodge the Congress Government in Rajasthan when it should be concentrating on saving lives and livelihoods during the Covid pandemic”.

Gehlot asked the PM: “I don’t know to what extent you are aware of these developments or whether you are being misled; history will not spare the players of this conspiracy.”