The standoff between Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over convening an Assembly session escalated on Monday, with Mishra seeking assurances from the government on ensuring physical distancing measures in the House in times of Covid-19.
Mishra returned the revised proposal Gehlot had sent him on calling a session, citing the three-week notice required to be given to members before summoning a sitting of the House and also laying down procedures, should the chief minister seek a trust vote.
On Sunday evening, Gehlot dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apprise him of the conduct of the Governor even as the Congress asked President Ram Nath Kovind to step in to resolve the “constitutional crisis” in the state.
Gehlot is battling a rebellion by his former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, who has been accused by the Congress of hobnobbing with the BJP to topple the state government.
The Congress on Monday stepped up pressure on the Governor for convening the session by holding protests at Raj Bhawans across the country “against the BJP’s attempts to topple democratically-elected governments using money, intimidation and misusing constitutional bodies".
In a statement, Governor Mishra rejected Congress' allegations that he was delaying the Assembly session. “The Raj Bhawan has no intention of not calling a session of the Assembly,” Mishra said, adding that all decisions will be taken in accordance with the Constitution and the rules of procedure.
“The Governor has once again sent us a six-page love letter,” Gehlot told reporters in Jaipur, adding that constitutionally, the Governors are bound to act on the advice of the elected government and have no discretionary powers on calling a session.
After facing setbacks in courts, Gehlot has focused his energies on proving the majority on the floor of the House to end the uncertainty facing his government due to Pilot’s rebellion.