Ashok Gehlot also blamed party leader Bahujan Samaj Mayawati for his statements against him.
Jaipur:
Rajasthan’s “horse trade rates” rose after the announcement of the assembly session scheduled to begin Aug. 14, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said Thursday in a veiled search of the governor and BJP.
“Following the announcement of the meeting last night, horse trading rates have increased. Previously the first payment was Rs 10 crore and the second was Rs 15 crore. Now it has become unlimited and everyone knows who trades in horses. Mr. Gehlot told reporters.
His comment appeared to target the central BJP opposition and Governor Kalraj Mishra who finally agreed to call an assembly after rejecting three proposals from the chief minister who is keen to prove his majority and quell a rebellion. by his former deputy Sachin Pilot.
Also targeting Mayawati, leader of the Bahujan Samaj party, for his statements against him, Mr. Gehlot accused the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh of having acted at the request of the BJP.
His complaint is not justified, Mr Gehlot said.
The deadlock over convening the Rajasthan Assembly ended on Wednesday, with Governor Kalraj Mishra agreeing to call a session from August 14.
Raj Bhawan’s announcement came hours after the Ashok Gehlot cabinet sent a fourth proposal to the governor to convene the Rajasthan Assembly, setting August 14 as the new date.
The chief minister accused the governor of working under pressure from the BJP going beyond his competence to block cabinet proposals to help the party poach MPs at a time when he is fighting an open revolt by some. legislators led by Sachin Pilot.
Mr. Gehlot has a small lead in the Rajasthan assembly, which has 200 members, just one short of a majority of 101. His impetus for an assembly session appears to be driven by a firm belief that he is well. placed to win a vote of confidence at this point.
(With PTI entries)
