Jaipur: The Congress on Sunday demanded the resignation of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat from the Union Cabinet, saying he has no moral authority to continue when he is heard on audio clips that suggest a BJP conspiracy to topple the government in Rajasthan.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot rejected the BJP’s dismissal of the clip in which the minister’s voice is purportedly heard, telling a television channel that he is prepared to quit politics over the charge that it is a “fabricated tape”.
The Congress demand for Shekhawat’s resignation came amid speculation that Gehlot may seek a floor test in the state assembly early next week to prove that the majority of the MLAs are with him in the tussle for power with dissident Sachin Pilot. The speculation was triggered by Gehlot’s 45-minute meeting Saturday with Governor Kalraj Mishra, officially on the COVID-19 situation in the state.
“The decision on when and how the floor test will take place has to be taken by the chief minister and the government,” senior party leader Ajay Maken said when questioned over the speculation.
“It is the CM’s discretion to go ahead when required and if it is required,” he told reporters. The BJP’s Gulab Chand Kataria, who is the Leader of Opposition in the assembly, said only a floor test can tell whether the government is in majority or not.
The government’s decision may also depend on Monday’s proceedings in the Rajasthan High Court, where a division bench is hearing a petition filed by Sachin Pilot and 18 other Congress MLAs against the Speaker’s disqualification notice.
Cong has absolute majority in assembly
The Congress has absolute majority in the Rajasthan assembly, the party asserted on Sunday, a day ahead of a Rajasthan High Court hearing on its rebel MLAs’ petitions challenging disqualification notices by the speaker.
Sources in the Congress also did not rule out the possibility that an assembly session could be convened, even as party chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala saying it is the prerogative of the state cabinet and the chief minister, and “they will decide appropriately”. (PTI)
