Rajasthan HC dismisses petition against BSP MLAs' merger with Congress

NEW DELHI: BSP moved the Rajasthan High Court on Monday against the ‘merger’ of six party MLAs with the ruling Congress last year. The move came hours after the high court dismissed a BJP MLA’s plea against the ‘merger’.

The ‘merger’ last year had increased the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government’s tally in the 200-member state assembly to 107. But with 18 MLAs owing allegiance to former deputy CM Sachin Pilot since raising the banner of revolt against the CM, the battle is more evenly poised.

Congress now enjoys the support of 101 MLAs, excluding the Speaker. That makes the support of the six BSP MLAs crucial to the survival of the Gehlot government, which has sought a trust vote in the House on July 31.


On Monday, the high court dismissed an earlier plea filed by BJP MLA Madan Dilawar to quash the ‘merger’. He had also challenged the Speaker’s refusal to deal with his plea to disqualify the BSP MLAs.

The Speaker had declared that the six — Sandeep Yadav, Wajib Ali, Deepchand Kheria, Lakhan Meena, Jogendra Awana and Rajendra Gudha — be treated as Congress MLAs after they joined the party last year.

But the challenge is far from over, with BSP also taking the issue to HC.