MLAs rally around Raje after suspension of two loyalists

"All the 54 party MLAs have submitted a signed memorandum to Raje last evening," a member of the group of MLAs loyal to Raje said.

The memorandum has authorised Raje to take up the revocation of suspension of two MLAs Rajendra Rathod and Gyandev Ahuja, the lawmaker, who did not wish to be named, said.

"The memorandum also said that all the signatory to it are with her in any decision she takes," he said.

In an apparent message to Raje to fall in line and quit as Leader of the Opposition, BJP had yesterday cracked the whip suspending the two MLAs on the charge of anti-party activities ahead of the party's 'chintan baithak' which began on Wednesday in Shimla.

Rathod and Ahuja, who were spearheading Raje's campaign against high command's decision asking her to quit as Leader of Opposition following the BJP's poll debacle, on Wednesday rejected the charge saying they have not indulged in any indiscipline or done anything against the party.

"We have not indulged in any indiscipline. We have not done anything against the party. Neither have we spoken against the central leaders, nor (have we done so) against the state leaders or the parliamentary board," Ahuja said.

In a similar vein, Rathore said "We have not done any crime. We stick to our decision. We have not done anything which can be termed as indiscipline. Even after that, if they want to suspend us, it's their choice."