Rajasthan Governor gives nod to House session but with riders
Mishra seeks fresh Cabinet proposal, insists on 21day notice, mention of floor test
After an impasse lasting four days, Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on Monday allowed the State Cabinet’s demand for holding an Assembly session, while insisting that the government give a “clear notice” of 21 days for calling the House and provide a written undertaking that the agenda would include seeking a confidence vote to prove its majority. “The government’s statements to the media have made it clear that it wants to move a confidence motion in the Assembly, but the Cabinet advice has not made any mention [of this],” Mr. Mishra said in a statement released by the Raj Bhavan. This could be a basis for summoning the House on short notice, he said.
Fresh queries Though he returned the Cabinet note seeking the Assembly sitting from July 31 with fresh queries for the second time, the Governor insisted that the Raj Bhavan had “no intention” not to call the session and it only wanted to act as per the procedure laid down in the rules and regulations framed under the Constitution. “There are clear provisions in Article 174. My advice falls within its ambit,” Mr. Mishra said. The file on the Cabinet note was sent to the Parliamentary Affairs Department with the advice to address three specific aspects of calling the House and give a response to the Raj Bhavan. The points were 21 days’ notice to enable all MLAs to attend the proceedings, video recording and live telecast of the floor test and precautions against the spread of COVID19 during the sitting. Congress sources said the Cabinet would meet later in the evening to discuss the issue. Opinion in the party was split on the next move.
A section felt that the government should insist on a short session and stick to the July 31 date, while mentioning a confidence vote in the agenda. The government could decide its strategy after the Governor responds. Another view was that the government should accept all the points raised by the Governor, comply with his directions and not rush to the court for a floor test. This could help deal with the turmoil created by former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot’s rebellion.
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