The CPI-M has ruled out supporting the Ashok Gehlot-led government, turning down an appeal from the Rajasthan chief minister-elect.
Gehlot on Friday told journalists that the Congress had a “challenging mandate” and though 11 Independents were supporting him, he would seek support from
the BSP and CPM to “enable us to provide a stable government”, PTI reported from Jaipur.
The Congress, which won 96 seats in the state, needed the support of five more legislators for a simple majority of 101.
Eleven Independents have extended support to the Congress, enabling government formation.
The CPM’s Rajasthan in-charge Hannan Mollah told HT: “We will play the role of a genuine, constructive but militant opposition.”
Asked what to make of CPM MLA Amra Ram’s confabulations with Gehlot, Mollah said: “Such talks can happen. We are not untouchables. Ram is a senior face in Rajasthan politics and a prominent Opposition leader. It was a courtesy call from Gehlot.”
Politburo member S. Ramachandran Pillai said there was no question of supporting the Ashok Gehlot-led government. “We are equidistant from both the BJP and the Congress and that's the party line,” he said.
Raje, Mathur summoned
Former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje and the BJP state unit chief, Om Prakash Mathur have been summoned to Delhi following the party’s debacle in the assembly elections. “We have called Raje and Mathur to Delhi to discuss the issues that led to our defeat in Rajasthan,” senior BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu said on Friday.