Congress MLAs and sacked minister engage in scuffle during Rajasthan assembly session.

JAIPUR: Unruly scenes unfolded in the Rajasthan assembly on Monday as Congress legislator Rajendra Singh Gudha, who was recently dismissed as minister, demanded to speak about a mysterious “red diary” containing what he alleged were incriminating details that could send CM Ashok Gehlot “to prison”.

★The speaker refused, and BJP MLAs protested by rushing to the well of the House, shouting slogans and waving red diaries.
★Gudha attempted to approach the speaker’s chair, demanding a platform to speak.
★Gudha then aggressively approached parliamentary affairs minister Shanti Dhariwal, seemingly attempting to manhandle him. Congress MLA Rafiq Khan and minister Ramlal Jat intervened, pushing Gudha away to protect Dhariwal.
★As the situation intensified, other MLAs rushed to the scene in an attempt to restrain the sacked minister. Marshals eventually removed Gudha from the assembly amidst the chaos, and the house was adjourned until later in the day.
★Following the bedlam, Dhariwal proposed the suspension of both Gudha and BJP MLA Madan Dilawar for their “unruly behaviour”. The proposal was subsequently passed by the House, marking a rare move as a governing party MLA was suspended along with an opposition member for the remainder of the current assembly’s term.
★Dhariwal accused Gudha of attempting to physically harm him and emphasised the significance of the marshals’ timely intervention to prevent a “big incident”.
★When the assembly reconvened, BJP MLAs continued their protest. The assembly was adjourned until August 2, concluding the day’s proceedings amid the prevailing pandemonium.
★Outside the assembly, Gudha addressed the media, alleging that he had been manhandled by Congress MLAs within the state assembly. He claimed that the red diary would lead Gehlot to jail and expose the chief minister.
★Gudha was the minister of state for Sainik Kalyan, home guard and civil defence, Panchayati Raj, and rural development. He was dismissed Friday evening after criticizing the Gehlot government’s handling of law and order and women’s safety issues during the assembly session.
★Leader of the Opposition, Rajendra Rathore, demanded that the red diary be discussed openly in the assembly. He criticized the abrupt sacking of Gudha during the ongoing assembly session, stating that such matters should have been deliberated within the House in accordance with tradition.
★Refuting the allegations, Congress MLA Rafeek Khan claimed that he intervened to protect minister Dhariwal from potential harm, as he sensed Gudha’s aggressive intentions. He denied any knowledge of the red diary.

The situation in the Rajasthan assembly remains tense as the opposition demands further discussion on the mysterious “red diary” and the ruling party defends its actions. The suspension of a ruling party MLA along with an opposition member adds a new dimension to the political turmoil in the state.