Jaipur: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is biding its time in Rajasthan and will swing into action if the collapse of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s government looks imminent, a senior BJP leader said Sunday.
Amid the wait for the Rajasthan High Court decision on disqualification of MLAs in the Sachin Pilot camp, BJP leader Gulab Chand Kataria maintained that his party will come into the picture only after the fight between the Gehlot and Pilot camps is over in the Congress.
“BJP’s role will only come after once the fight between both the camps is over. If because of their tussle the government heads towards a collapse then we will decide what action we have to take,” said Kataria, who is the leader of opposition in Rajasthan assembly,” said Kararia, who is also the leader of opposition in Rajasthan assembly.
The veteran BJP leader said the party will work on its strategy and will definitely “hit” once the time is right. However, he maintained that it will not seek a floor test.
“Why should we ask for a floor test? Both the Pilot and Gehlot camps are ones who can run or lose the government. We can only monitor their actions. Once we know it is the right time to hit, we will definitely do that,” he said.
He added that it was unfortunate this crisis was happening during a pandemic and said that if the government is confident of its numbers, it should place a proposal for floor test and prove majority.
“Don’t remain locked inside the hotel, have a floor test proposal, prove majority and run the government. We don’t have any problem,” he said.
He further said the BJP has been maintaining that it has adopted a “wait and watch” approach. “Since the beginning we have made it clear that we have got nothing to do with their internal fight. We are not involved in this. They are deliberately trying to blame us for their internal fight,” he said.
Asked if rebel Congress leader Pilot has approached the BJP, Kataria said, “Neither has the Pilot camp approached us nor have we them. Depending on how the situation unfolds, we as a party will decide on it. I alone can’t take such decisions. Whatever will be in the favour of the party, we will take such a decision”.
Also read: Time running out for BJP and Pilot in Rajasthan as Gehlot makes moves for trust vote
‘Unfortunate’ crisis
Commenting on the political crisis the state has been pushed into, Kataria said it was “unfortunate”.
“We have made it very clear that we are watching (their) actions closely and if we feel that the BJP needs to play a decisive role, then the top leadership will sit down and deliberate on the issue and we will then take action,” he said.
The state plunged into a deep political crisis after former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot declared rebellion on 12 July, claiming to have the support of 30 MLAs. By the next day, however, he could not prove support of more than 18 legislators.
On 14 July, 19 MLAs, including Pilot, were served notices by Speaker C.P. Joshi, who asked them to respond by Friday after a petition filed by the chief whip of Congress sought their disqualification from the state assembly.
The party also sacked Pilot and two Rajasthan cabinet ministers from their respective posts the same day.
“I think it is very unfortunate that while on one hand they (government) say they have 109 (MLAs), it changes to 107, or even 102. Why are they wasting the precious time of the people especially during the coronavirus pandemic,” asked Kataria.
“Right now there is no one in Rajasthan to take care of the people. All the administrative work has come to a halt. Crimes rates are increasing everyday but there is no one left to even think about such issues,” he added.
Also read: Old loyalists, new friends, Gehlot baiters — the 18 rebel MLAs in Sachin Pilot camp