Deadlock between opposition and BJP continues with the ‘Dharna’ by congress MLAs in the assembly

The stalemate between the Congress opposition and the BJP administration regarding Minister Avinash Gehlot’s remarks about former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during Question Hour on Friday persisted, as Congress MLAs continued their ‘dharna’ in the Assembly.

In Question Hour on Friday, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Avinash Gehlot directed his comments at the opposition, stating, “As usual, you have named the scheme (for working women’s hostels) after your ‘dadi’ (grandmother) Indira Gandhi in the budget for 2023-24 as well.”

Government chief whip Jogeshwar Garg introduced a motion to suspend Congress MLAs Govind Singh Dotasara, Ramkesh Meena, Amin Kagzi, Jakir Hussain, Hakam Ali, and Sanjay Kumar, which was approved through a voice vote.

The Congress MLAs began a protest in the House following its adjournment on Friday. They have been protesting at the dharna since that time. They occupied the site overnight, insisting that the remarks be removed from the records and that the suspension of their six MLAs, which includes PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra, be lifted.

The party plans to hold a protest and “the Assembly gherao” on Monday.

On Sunday, Tikaram Jully, the Opposition Leader, stated that the dharna would persist if their demands were unmet. He stated that the government is not interested in resolving the deadlock, and the ministers have conversed with the protesting Congress MLAs in the Assembly merely as a “formality.”

Minister of State Jawahar Singh Bedham and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel held discussions with senior Congress MLAs on Saturday night, but the conversations ended without a conclusion. On Friday evening, the ministers met for discussions with Jully and several other senior MLAs.

Congress MLAs convened a meeting in the Assembly on Sunday, where they resolved that party leaders and workers would stage a protest outside the Assembly regarding the issue on Monday.

The Congress has summoned party members from different districts. A control room has been established by the state Congress, and calls are being initiated to every district.

Specific objectives have been established for areas near Jaipur to attract bigger crowds.

On Saturday, the Congress organized demonstrations and set fire to effigies at district headquarters throughout the state to express their opposition to the suspension of the lawmakers. Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly on Sunday, Jully stated that the government aims to maintain the deadlock.

“On the first day, we expressed our willingness to resolve the matter and requested the removal of the minister’s sarcastic remarks, along with the reinstatement of our six suspended MLAs, yet the entire BJP is focused on defending the minister, insisting that his statements were appropriate.” This is not favorable in a parliamentary democracy.

“The struggle here is based on ideas, yet the governing party is rife with obstinacy and hubris, merely feigning attempts to resolve the impasse,” he stated.

Bedham mentioned that discussions with the Congress MLAs took place on Saturday night, and they ought to conclude the dharna.