Both MPs Supported State Power Congress in Last Month’s Rajya Sabha Polls (File)
Jaipur:
The Bhartiya tribal party in Rajasthan says it now plays an important role in deciding who will remain in power despite its weak presence in the National Assembly. “We have two deputies in a house of 200, but we are in the position of kingmakers,” party chairman Maheshbhai C Vasava told PTI on Sunday.
Construction lawmakers Rajkumar Roat and Ramprasad Dindor made it clear on Saturday that they were with chief minister Ashok Gehlot, ending days of uncertainty over the loyalty of the Gujarat-based party.
The two MPs supported the state’s ruling Congress in Rajya Sabha’s polls last month. But when the power conflict between Gehlot and his now sacked deputy Sachin Pilot resurfaced recently, the construction industry said it would remain neutral.
Vasava said the party is now extending its support to Gehlot after assuring that his demands related to the development of tribal areas will be met.
“We have fought Congress and the BJP on tribal issues, but if the government now provides full support on the issues raised by us, why should we not support it? After all, it is filling the agenda of the tribal welfare and development, ”he said.
When the crisis started last week, Mr. Vasava issued a whip ordering Mr. Roat and Mr. Dindor not to support any leader or party in case there is a ground test in the assembly.
However, Sagwara MP Ramprasad Dindor expressed his challenge to the whip, saying the two would support the state government.
Later, party officers and members of the House discussed their demands with the chief minister.
“We supported the Congressional government in the Rajya Sabha elections last month after the Prime Minister assured the demands,” said MP Chorasi Roat.
“But the requests were not met. Some could have been met in one day,” he complained.
The party then thought of not supporting it, said the MP.
Last week, Mr. Roat appeared in two video clips, alleging that he was prevented by Rajasthani police from traveling to his constituency in Dungarpur district.
He said the police came in two vans and took their car keys. He also alleged that some people forced him to accompany them.
The videos were released by the Sachin pilot camp and the BJP questioned the state government about them.
But Mr. Raut later dismissed the episode as a “misunderstanding” with the police.
