'Operation Kamal' in Rajasthan: Congress moves to counter BJP

New Delhi: The Congress is working overtime to contain the unrest in its state unit ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls. All the Congress MLAs have been lodged in a resort in Jaipur to thwart any poaching attempts by the opposition BJP.

The Congress has fielded KC Venugopal and Neeraj Dangi in the RS polls. But the BJP has fielded Onkar Singh Lakhawat which has forced a contest and the BJP has to get at least one third of the Congress MLAs to vote for its candidate.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that there was horse-trading during a press conference. "The BJP leaders are making calls to the Congress and independent MLAs," he said.

The Congress has 107 MLAs and has the support of other smaller parties and independents in the 200-member Assembly.

The Congress called a meeting of its MLAs in Jaipur and leaders in Delhi have been alerted for any legal help if needed, sources said.

The Congress has sent Randeep Surjewala. State in- charge Avinash Pande and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot are monitoring the MLAs. General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal is himself a candidate from the state.

The Congress is trying to corner the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the issue of horse-trading while the BJP has rejected the charge. State party president Satish Punia said that it is incorrect and this news is being circulated due to internal rifts in the Congress.

All Congress MLAs stand united to defeat the fascist forces, Gehlot said, adding that 13 Independents and 2 BTP MLAs have promised to support the Congress in Rajasthan.

The Congress in Rajasthan has shifted its MLAs to a resort fearing poaching. It has alleged that the BJP is luring its MLAs and has offered Rs 25 crore each to them to resign and topple the Gehlot government.