Parikh wins trust vote; Congress may join ministry
The 16-day-old Dilip Parikh ministry today won the vote of confidence in the Gujarat legislative assembly with the support of Congress and Independent legislators, ending the political uncertainty hovering over the state. The victory is expected to pave the way for the Congress's participation in the ministry.
Parikh moved a one-line motion seeking confidence of the House in his government. The motion secured 98 votes while 76 members voted against it. Four independents were absent and another independent remained neutral. One independent is in jail.
The 182-member House has an effective strength of
181 members. They include 45 ruling Rashtriya Janata Party, 44 Congress, 76 Bharatiya Janata Party legislators (the fate of seven of these members will be decided by the Gujarat high court) and 15 independents, one of whom has been languishing in jail. All the 76 votes against the trust vote belonged to the BJP.
The 16-member ministry was sworn in on October 28 following the Shankarsinh Vaghela government's resignation in the wake of Congress withdrawing its support on October 20.
Asked if the Congress would join the ministry, leader of the Congress legislature party Amarsinh Chaudhary said that he and state party president C D Patel will leave for Delhi in a couple of days to discuss the modalities of the coalition with the high command.
Chaudhary said the Congress's participation in the government was necessary for the effective implementation of the Congress's programmes and policies.
After finalising the details of coalition with the party high command, a formal proposal would be made to Parikh.
Soon after the trust vote, Parikh told the media that the victory vindicated the rule of Shankarsinh Vaghela.
Parikh said he proposed to expand his council of ministers but the date and time will be decided later. He said he would welcome the Congress if it wants to join the ministry. He has, however, not received a proposal to this effect from the Congress.
EARLIER REPORTS:
RJP legislators 'missing' hours before Gujarat trust vote
Pressure On Parikh
Mehta, Patel differences may help Parikh off the hook
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