Relief for Sachin Pilot Camp as HC Orders ‘Status Quo’ Till Monday | In a relief for Sachin Pilot and his dissident MLAs, the Rajasthan High Court maintained ‘status quo’ as per the Supreme Court order. Put simply, there will be no action by the Rajasthan HC against the Pilot camp until the Supreme Court’s hearing on the matter on Monday. Based on it, the HC will schedule the next date for hearing.

Update on Hearing | After a brief adjournment, Judges have assembled back at the hearing in the case regarding disqualification of MLAs, in the Rajasthan High Court.

CM Gehlot May Call a Floor Test Next Week: Sources | Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is likely to call an assembly session next week to conduct a floor test and prove the government’s majority in the House, sources said.

Hearing Delayed as Centre Made Party | After the Centre was made a party to the ongoing case at Rajasthan High Court – regarding disqualification of Sachin Pilot’s dissident MLAs – the hearing has been adjourned awaiting a response from the Centre. The verdict on the case now may be delayed due to the recent developments.

Rajasthan Congress MLA Admitted to Hosp With ‘Breathing Problem’ | Kathumar MLA Babulal Bairwa has been admitted to Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur, after he complained of breathing problem. He is one of the Congress MLAs who are staying at Fairmont Hotel.

Hearing in Rajasthan High Court Commences | The hearing in Rajasthan High Court commenced, as the court allowed the Centre to become a party to the hearing. Meanwhile, the judges have gone back to their chamber and the hearing has been adjourned for 15 minutes.

Background | The application (to include Centre in list of respondents) by Sachin Pilot and dissident MLAs was moved on the ground that Tenth Schedule’s constitutional validity was under challenge and therefore, the Union of India was a necessary party now. An identical application was also filed in the Supreme Court where the Rajasthan assembly speaker filed a special leave petition (SLP).

Sachin Pilot’s MLAs Want Centre in List of Respondents | Sacked Deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot and 18 MLAs, who challenged notices for disqualification issued by the Rajasthan assembly speaker in the high court, moved an application before the Rajasthan High Court court on Thursday to include the Union government in the list of respondents.

If They Don’t Trust Govt, Send to FSL: Gehlot | Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on the matter of authenticity of ‘horse trading audio clips’ – “We can send it for FSL testing to America if they have no trust in the Rajasthan government, he said, adding that the Congress also did not trust the Centre.”

Audio Tapes Genuine: CM Gehlot | Targeting Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said the audio clips which indicate an alleged plot to topple his government can be sent abroad for forensic tests.

WATCH | Supreme Court To Hear Rajasthan Speaker’s Plea Again On Monday

‘Gehlot Doesn’t Have Majority’: Poonia |  BJP state president Satish Poonia, said – “Mr Gehlot would not have been herding his MLAs in Fairmont Hotel over last one week if he had the majority numbers. During the first CLP meeting at his residence, the party said that they have 109 MLAs with them, however, 19 MLAs were camping in Haryana at that time which came out later. So they have been lying.”

Rajasthan Govt Flouting Norms: Poonia | BJP state president Satish Poonia, said – “The Congress leaders speak of democracy but themselves flout all norms. In Rajasthan, as per the law, people representatives can be investigated by CID, CB officials and not by SOG. But the Gehlot government is flouting norms by letting SOG chase public representatives.”

Rajasthan High Court’s Decision at 10.30am | The Rajasthan High Court will deliver its verdict on the plea filed by Sachin Pilot’s dissident MLAs on the disqualification from Rajasthan Assembly.

On Raids, CM Gehlot Says Central Agencies Acting Under Amit Shah | When asked about the recent raids in Rajasthan, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot claimed that the central agencies were acting on the directions of Union Home Minister Amit Shah under “Modi raj”. The Enforcement Directorate recently searched the premises of his brother as part of a nationwide investigation into an alleged fertiliser export scam.

Dotsara on Party Strength | Rajasthan Congress Chief Govind Singh Dotasra also seconded Gehlot’s statement, saying his party’s government has the majority figure, which is far more than what is required. “The government has the majority figure… 100%… far more than the government requires,” he said.

CM Gehlot Meets Governor | Later on Thursday, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also met Governor Kalraj Mishra at the Raj Bhawan in what was described as a “courtesy call” — the 20-minute discussion revolved around the possibility of calling a session of the Vidhan Sabha, said Congress sources.

Ajay Maken Confident of Congress Numbers | Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken also said the party is confident of the numbers and will convene a session of the state assembly at an “opportune time” to prove its majority. CM Gehlot hoped that some of the dissident MLAs, who are led by sacked deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, will also attend the session when it is called “very soon”.

Gehlot Says Majority to be Proved Soon | Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said an assembly session will be called soon and his government will prove its majority. “The session of the assembly will take place soon. The majority is with us, all Congress MLAs are united,” he said.

On Horse Trading, BJP Alleges ‘Vendetta Politics’ | BJP state president Satish Poonia, said -“Vendetta politics is being played by the CM Ashok Gehlot against Union Minister Shekhawat to avenge the defeat of his son during Lok Sabha elections from his home constituency Jodhpur. He wanted his son to settle down, however, he failed to garner votes even from his home seat which once stood undefeated.”

BJP is Waiting, Watching: Poonia | BJP state president Satish Poonia, said -“BJP is monitoring all developments. As we are the party with the highest mandate after Congress, we will definitely discuss the issue with our central leaders and parliamentary board and then take a call.”

Kamal Nath Says ‘Undemocratic Pandemic’ Prevailing | Amid the ongoing Rajasthan political crisis, and after 3 Congress MLAs resigning in Madhya Pradesh in the last two weeks, former MP CM Kamal Nath said there was an “undemocratic pandemic” prevailing in the country in which the BJP was luring away MLAs to topple elected governments in states ruled by opposition parties.The Congress government headed by Nath lost power in Madhya Pradesh in March when 22 party MLAs joined the BJP.

Gehlot Govt Stands on Wafer-thin Majority: BJP | BJP state president Satish Poonia, said – “One fact is clear that the Gehlot government stands on verge of collapse as they will be left with wafer-thin majority if 19 MLAs including Pilot and 3 independents who are out from Congress camp, leave the government.”

Pilot Can Become CM If Situation Allows: BJP State Chief | BJP state president Satish Poonia, speaking on the ongoing political slugfest, said -“If the situation allows, Sachin Pilot can become the Chief Minister. In fact, he has taken a big step with this goal in mind. Meanwhile, the matter is subjudice in present conditions and hence it will be too early to judge the facts.”

WATCH | Rajasthan CM Gehlot Briefs PM Modi On Political Crisis, Demands Probe In ‘Horse-trading’ Audio Clip

Here’s Some Background (2/2) | The bench, also comprising Justices BR Gavai and Krishna Murari, said Joshi’s plea raises important questions and requires prolonged hearing. “We are not restraining the High Court from passing the order but it will be subject to the outcome of the petition (of Speaker) before the Supreme Court,” the bench said, fixing the plea for hearing on July 27.

Here’s Some Background (1/2) | A Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra was hearing an appeal filed by Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi against the high court’s direction asking him to defer the disqualification proceedings till July 24. The high court is scheduled to pass its order on Friday on the plea filed by the 19 dissident Congress MLAs.