Relief for Sachin Pilot as HC says no action against rebel MLAs till July 24

New Delhi : In a big relief to Sachin Pilot and 18 other dissident Congress MLAs, Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday told the Legislative Assembly Speaker to defer action on disqualification notices to the rebel former Deputy CM and rebel Congress MLAs till July 24. 

The court also reserved its verdict on the matter on Friday. The speaker has been asked to take no action against the MLAs till then.

It may be mentioned here, a writ petition was filed by Pilot and 18 other dissident Congress MLAs on July 17, challenging the disqualification notices issued to them by state Assembly Speaker CP Joshi. 

The MLAs were served the disqualification notice after the Congress party complained to speaker CP Joshi that the lawmakers had defied a whip to attend two Congress legislature party (CLP) meetings last week on Monday and Tuesday.

The Rajasthan HC had on July 17 given a four-day stay to Pilot and other Congress dissidents from any action by Rajasthan Speaker on the disqualification notices served on them by extending the hearing into their petition. Pilot was sacked as deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan and the party state president after he rebelled against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. 

Earlier CM Ashok Gehlot admitted in a TV interview that he has not been on talking terms with Sachin Pilot for the last 18 months. In rather unpleasant remarks, the CM called Pilot nikamma (worthless) and nakaara (good for nothing). Repeating his earlier charge, he said Pilot has been trying to remove his government.