Rajasthan: 12 Independent MLAs, ex-BJP leader and Jaipur Mayor join Congress

NEW DELHI: Twelve out of the total 13 independent MLAs in Rajasthan have extended their support to the Congress government in the state.nnThe MLAs, including Babulal Nagar, Rajkumar Gaur, Mahadev Khandela, Alok Beniwal, were present in a meeting of Congress president Rahul Gandhi at the Ramlila ground here on Tuesday and announced to give their support to the Congress government led by Ashok Gehlot.nnBesides Tiwari,  Jaipur mayor Vishnu Dutta Lata, former BJP leaders Surendra Goyal, Janardan Gehlot and two others joined the party.nn12 independent MLAs of the present legislative assembly and Jaipur Municipal Corporation Mayor Vishnu Dutt Lahta were among those who took Congress membership at the event.nnTwelve MLAs who are accorded associate membership are: Rajkumar Gaur, Rameela Khadia, Kantilal Meena, Rakesh Meena, Laxman Meena, Sanyam Lodha, Babulal Nagar, Khushveer Meena, Baljeet Yadav, Suresh Tank, Mahadev Singh Khandela and Alok Beniwal.nnThe Congress has 100 MLAs in the House of 200 and its ally the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) has one MLA.nnThe BJP has 73 MLAs while the BSP has six, RLTP has three, CPI(M) and BTP two each and 13 are independent MLAs.nnSource: Press Trust of India