Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot claimed on Thursday evening that the Congress MLAs supporting him have been “getting calls” after Governor Kalraj Mishra agreed to convene the Assembly session from August 14.
Gehlot and his MLAS have been at the Hotel Fairmont in Jaipur for two weeks after rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot and at least 18 MLAs loyal to him went to Delhi.
Speaking to mediapersons on Thursday, Gehlot claimed earlier the 'rate' for Congress MLAs to cross over to the rebel camp was Rs 10 crore as the first instalment and Rs 15 crore as the second.
Now, it is being asked how much do you want? This means that the rate has increased. Everyone knows who is doing the horse-trading,” Gehlot said. The Congress has accused the BJP of being behind the "conspiracy" to topple the state government.
The chief minister said the rebels who have not accepted money should return to the party-fold. “I am not aware who all have taken the first instalment among those who had left. It is possible that some might not have taken it. I want them to come back,” he said.
Gehlot said everyone is aware of the intentions of the dissidents.
On Friday, news reports claimed Gehlot's loyalist MLAs could move to another resort. NDTV reported Gehlot's MLAS could be moved to another city by a "special flight" on Friday. Gehlot claims to have support of 102 MLAs, enough for a simple majority in the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly.
Gehlot had indicated on Thursday the MLAs would remain sequestered at the Jaipur resort until the Assembly session begins on August 14.
Times Now reported that the MLAs of the Gehlot camp could be moved to a resort in Jaisalmer. "MLAs expressed their displeasure with the decision to stay at the same hotel, and told the chief minister that they were bored of staying here and needed a change in venue. Gehlot, knowing that he can’t have any more disgruntled MLAs, lest the government shall collapse, agreed and is now planning to shift them to another resort in Jaisalmer," Times Now reported.
On Thursday, Gehlot had attacked BSP chief Mayawati for approaching the Rajasthan High Court over the issue of six BSP MLAs in Rajasthan merging with the Congress. Gehlot said BSP chief Mayawati's complaint about last year's merger of six BSP MLAs with the Congress was unjustified, since the entire group in the Assembly switched sides.
“It was not about two MLAs. All six MLAs merged, and according to their own conscience,” Gehlot said.
He alleged that Mayawati was giving statements at the behest of the BJP because she is afraid of the party that is misusing the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax department against everyone.
The Rajasthan High Court on Thursday issued notices to the Assembly speaker, secretary and the six MLAs over the BSP's petition.
Gehlot said the dissident Congress MLAs are at Manesar in Gurgaon and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Rajasthan police is unable to reach them.
