Rajasthan Political Crisis: Congress Issues Show Cause Notices to 3 Gehlot Loyalist MLAs

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 28^th Sept. The Congress’ disciplinary committee issued a show-cause notice to three Ashok Gehlot loyalists – Rajasthan ministers Shanti Dhariwal and Mahesh Joshi, and Dharmendra Rathore – on Tuesday night for “grave indiscipline” and asked them to explain why action should not be taken against them within 10 days.

The Congress committee’s action came two days after 82 MLAs took part in a parallel meeting at Shanti Dhariwal’s residence in Jaipur putting conditions to the party and did not attend the official legislature party meeting convened for passing a resolution authorizing the Congress president to appoint a successor to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who was to contest the Congress presidential poll.

The notices were issued by the party’s disciplinary committee after Congress observers Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken submitted a written report to party chief Sonia Gandhi accusing the three state leaders of “gross indiscipline.”

In response to the news, Joshi stated that he had yet to receive the notice and that once he did, he would provide a satisfactory response.

“We are soldiers of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. We have fought for truth and justice and will fight further…And will do whatever we think is in the interest of the party,” Joshi said.

Tariq Anwar, member secretary of the Congress disciplinary panel, referred to Maken’s report in his notice to Dhariwal, Joshi, and Rathore.

“Prima facie, the above charges are an act of grave indiscipline. Therefore, this show cause notice is being issued seeking your reply within 10 days as to why disciplinary action not be taken against you as per the provisions of the constitution of the Indian National Congress,” the notice to all three leaders read.

Anwar stated in his notice to Dhariwal that the observers’ report stated that he sits on the dais and is a prominent speaker at all CLP meetings in Rajasthan as the parliamentary affairs minister.

Apart from issuing statements, he has committed grave indiscipline by hosting a parallel MLAs’ meeting at his residence “pressuring them not to attend the official meeting”, the notice read.

“As parliamentary affairs minister, hosting the unofficial meeting confused the Congress MLAs as to which one was convened officially.

“This happened even when Shri Kharge and Shri Maken repeatedly clarified that they have come here to speak to each MLA individually and impartially report to Congress President. No decision would be made in haste. After knowing the views of MLAs, the Congress President will discuss them with everyone and take a well-considered decision,” the notice said.

“You as Chief Whip have conducted grave indiscipline on two counts. Boycotting the official CLP meeting, even after you had informed (given notice) every Congress MLA to attend it, and by participating and convening a parallel meeting of the MLAs at the time when officially appointed observers were waiting for the official meeting to start.”

“As Chief Whip, your presence at the unofficial and illegal meeting confused the MLAs as to which one was convened officially, ” the notice to Joshi said.

Anwar stated in his notice to Rathore, the chairman of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, that he “made all logistical arrangements and was behind the entire planning of the unofficial meeting of the MLAs, held parallel to the official Rajasthan CLP meeting,” which is a “grave indiscipline” act.

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