Rajasthan politics: Governor's attack on Gehlot government sparks row

Jaipur: Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra's criticism of the Gehlot government for continuing the Assembly session without proroguing it ever since the Pilot rebellion has led to a fresh row.

During the rebellion in 2020, there was a dispute between the government and the Raj Bhavan over the convening of the Assembly session in July. Chief Minister Gehlot staged a sit-in at the Raj Bhavan along with supporting MLAs. The approval to call the Assembly session was given after a few discussions.

After the incident, instead of proroguing the Assembly session, it is continuing. As per convention, the Assembly is prorogued after its session. However, as the session continues without proroguing.

The Governor on Thursday said that the practice of calling the Assembly Session directly without proroguing the House is dangerous for a democratic system.

"The power to summon the Assembly session on the recommendation of the state government is vested with the Governor. Due to this, legislators do not get additional opportunities for the prescribed number of questions and constitutional procedures. There is a need to pay serious attention to the formal prorogation of the Legislative Assemblies and the convening of a new session. On delay in clearing and forwarding new bills (amendment bills too) of the state government to the Central government," said the governor.

"The Governor is not a person. He is a constitutional body. When he is satisfied on the constitutional grounds that the ordinance is justified, then only he gives approval to it. Let's wait and watch. There might be some fresh confrontations coming in an election year," he added.

Rajasthan's next Assembly session is starting on January 23. A budget will be passed in this session.