Ashok Gehlot. Photo: ANI
New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday night issued show cause notices to two Rajasthan ministers Shanti Dhariwal and Mahesh Joshi and MLA Dharmender Rathore for their "grave indiscipline" and asked them to explain within 10 days why action should not be initiated against them.
However, there is no direct reference to Ashok Gehlot in the report.
The party's disciplinary committee sent the notices after Congress observers Mallkarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken submitted their written report to party chief Sonia Gandhi, charging the three with "gross indiscipline".
"This show cause notice is being issued seeking your reply within 10 days as to why disciplinary action not be taken against you as per the provisions of the constitution of the Indian National Congress," the notice by disciplinary panel secretary Tariq Anwar said.
Disciplinary action had been sought against Dhariwal, who had figured prominently in the rebellion by the party legislators, Minister and Congress Chief Whip in the Assembly Joshi and Rathore for holding a parallel meeting of MLAs and not allowing the Congress Legislature Party to meet.
Meanwhile, about 20 Rajasthan Congress MLAs met Gehlot at his residence here on Tuesday evening, indicating solidarity with the leader amid turmoil in the party's state unit.
Sources said the MLAs included ministers Bhanwar Singh Bhati, Saleh Mohammad, Ashok Chandna, Sukhram Vishnoi, and MLAs Meena Kumari, Rafiq Khan, Khushveer Jojawar, Amit Chachan, Madan Prajapat and Jagdish Jangid.
The Congress in Rajasthan plunged into a crisis on Sunday as several MLAs loyal to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot resigned over a possible move to appoint Pilot as Gehlot's successor, their rebellion erupting just ahead of a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting.
PTI
RELATED STORIES
.jpg?$p=411eac6&f=1x1&w=100&q=0.8)
.jpg?$p=bec7056&q=0.8&f=16x11&w=104)
