Crisis in Rajasthan: Congress says has support of 109 MLAs

Hours after Indian state Rajasthan's Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot declared open rebellion and claimed that the Ashok Gehlot government in the state is in minority, central Congress leader Avinash Pande yesterday said 109 MLAs have signed a letter of support to the chief minister.

Pande said the BJP was behind the "conspiracy" to topple the Ashok Gehlot government but it will complete its term. In the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly, the Congress has 107 MLAs and the BJP 72.

It is believed, Pilot is keen on the CM's post, which he lost to Ashok Gehlot after the Congress's 2018 victory in state polls. The BJP, however, says Pilot needs to bring down the government if he wants the top post. Pilot on Sunday claimed that the Gehlot government is in minority as over 30 Congress MLAs have "pledged support" to him.