Rajasthan Guv to 'go by Constitution', Cong MLAs end dharna

Congress MLAs in the Ashok Gehlot camp on Friday ended a five-hour dharna at the Raj Bhawan after an assurance from the Governor that he will go by the constitutional provisions on summoning an assembly session, a party leader said.

The Governor, however, wanted the state government's clarification on some points before he makes the announcement, according to a Congress leader.

The Governor assured that he will abide by Article 174 of the Constitution, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala told reporters.

The Article deals with the Governor's role in summoning a session of the state assembly.

Legal experts earlier told PTI that the Governor has no option but to accept the recommendation of the Ashok Gehlot Cabinet and convene the assembly session.

Outside the Raj Bhawan, All India Congress Committee spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the Governor has given a note to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot seeking clarifications.

Surjewala said these points will be taken care of at a Cabinet meeting Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is calling at 9.30 pm.

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

"The Governor informed that he will abide by the Constitution and will take a decision without being under any pressure," Surjewala said.

He said that after the Cabinet gives the clarification to the queries, the Governor will be duty-bound to abide by Article 174.

"We believe in the assurance given by the Governor," he said.

Earlier, the MLAs had said they will stay put at Raj Bhavan till the Governor summons a session of the state assembly.

The MLAs, led by Gehlot, arrived at Raj Bhawan in four buses from a hotel on the outskirts of Jaipur where they have been camping for the past few days.

Before heading for the Raj Bhawan, Gehlot said he had requested Governor Mishra on Thursday to call a session of the assembly on Monday.

But there had been no word from him so far, he said.

He threatened that if the demand for convening a session is not met, the MLAs will 'not be responsible' if people gherao the Raj Bhawan.

The chief minister claimed the Governor was under pressure from 'above' not to call an assembly session.

At the Raj Bhawan, while Gehlot met the Governor inside, the MLAs squatted on the lawns, at time shouting slogans in support of the Gehlot-led Congress government.

The Governor came out to meet them.

Later, the MLAs said they are starting a dharna.

"We have requested the Governor to convene an Assembly session as per rules and regulations. The governor is working on the directions of the Centre. We will sit here till the session date is given to us," Transport Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said.

Technical Education Minister Subhash Garg said, "We have collectively put a demand in a democratic manner. More than 103 legislators are sitting on a dharna. People are watching it."

Before the Friday visit to the Raj Bhawan , Gehlot called a meeting of the MLAs at the hotel and also addressed mediapersons.