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Congress revokes suspension of 2 Rajasthan MLAs from Sachin Pilot camp ahead of key meet
MLAs Bhanwar Lal Sharma and Vishvendra Singh were part of the rebel camp supporting former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot.
Hours after Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot reiterated his “forgive and forget” mantra on Thursday with the rebels back in party fold, the Congress revoked the suspension of two MLAs who were suspended on July 17 following allegations that they were involved in a conspiracy to topple the state government.
MLAs Bhanwar Lal Sharma and Vishvendra Singh were part of the rebel camp supporting former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot.
The suspension followed the leak of audio tapes with conversations allegedly between Bhanwar Lal Sharma, Sanjay Jain, an intermediary, and Union minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, which hinted at a conspiracy to bring down the government.
“After a consultative discussion, the suspension of @INCRajasthan MLA Sh. Bhanwarlal Sharma ji and Sh. @vishvendrabtp ji is hereby revoked,” tweeted Avinahs Pande, Rajasthan Congress in-charge, shortly before the key Congress Legislature Party meet.
Congress party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala had told the media in July that the two MLAs would remain suspended until the veracity of the clips was ascertained.
The move to revoke suspension follows the truce secured by Sachin Pilot with the Congress high command, ending his month-long rebellion against Gehlot.
Speaking to HT, Vishvendra Singh, the former Rajasthan minister for tourism, said that the only thing rebels MLAs worried about was “self respect”, adding that they never disputed CM Gehlot’s leadership.
“Our leader is Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. At the Centre, it is also Rahul Gandhiji and Priyanka Gandhji. At the state level, it is Mr. Gehlot since he is the CM and the head of the family … we have never disputed his leadership, neither has Mr. Pilot joined issue over it. Else, Mr. Pilot would not have settled for the deputy CM’s portfolio. Whoever the high command chooses is our leader,” said Vishvendra Singh.
In another addition to the Rajasthan drama, the BJP announced late afternoon that it will move a no-confidence motion against the Ashok Gehlot government in the special assembly session starting tomorrow.
