Jaipur: Ahead of the Rajasthan Assembly session, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday appealed to all MLAs to listen to the voice of people to save democracy and stand with the truth in the interest of people of the state.
The assembly session in the state, which has been witnessing politicial turmoil after the rebellion by Sachin Pilot and legislators loyal to him, will start on August 14. Gehlot is likely to seek a trust vote during the session In a letter to all MLAs, Gehlot sought their cooperation in fulfilling the promises of development and prosperity of the state. “It is my appeal that you should listen to the voice of people in order to avoid wrong tradition, to maintain people’s trust in us and to save democracy,” Gehlot said in the letter.
Pilot was sacked as deputy chief minister and the president of the state unit of the Congress after he and some MLAs loyal to him rebelled against Gehlot. Many believe that Gehlot still has an edge in the numbers game and is confident of a majority. “You may be a legislator from any political party, you should ensure and take a decision after understanding voter’s feeling that how a people’s elected government continues to work strongly for state’s welfare,”, he said.
BJP divided
Gehlot questioned the shifting of BJP MLAs to Gujarat, saying the opposition party was ridden with factionalism.
His comments came in the wake of the BJP herding its 18 MLAs in the past two days to party-ruled Gujarat.The BJP had claimed that their MLAs were being harassed by police and the administration at the behest of the Congress government in the state. Gehlot, on the other hand, defended the stay of Congress legislators at a Jaisalmer hotel, saying the party required to keep them together to thwart horse-trading.
“But, what is worrying the BJP? They are herding their legislators to three-four places. I see a big split in them,” Gehlot said. Lashing out at the opposition party, Gehlot said the “tradition they are setting up is dangerous to democracy”.
He said while BJP is trying to topple his government, the government is making efforts to save lives amid the coronavirus crisis. Unfortunately, such people sitting in power are weakening democracy, which we saved for the past 70 years, Gehlot said.
He added that their fight to save democracy will continue even after August 14 and the truth will prevail. “I can say this that the victory will be ours, truth will win,” he said, stressing that his “government will complete its five-year term”. (PTI)
