The reason cited by the party: “Gehlot belongs to a backward caste.”

While the BSP opposes the Congress everywhere else in the country, its MLAs had voted for the Gehlot Government during the trust vote in the Assembly on Monday. They had also demanded the removal of party’s Rajasthan in-charge Dharam Singh, alleging that he was an autocrat.

Sources in the BSP said Mayawati, who reached New Delhi on Monday, contacted the Rajasthan MLAs and lent a patient ear to them.

Both Singh and BSP legislature party leader Rajendra Gudda confirmed the party’s decision to continue support to Gehlot.

“They have supported neither the Congress nor the Bharatiya Janata Party in the House. They have supported a chief minister who is from a backward caste,” said Singh, explaining the party’s decision.

Gudda said: “We will continue our support to Gehlot as long as he works for the betterment of backward castes in the state.”

He confirmed that Mayawati spoke to him on Tuesday. Asked if Mayawati questioned their decision to support the Gehlot Government, he said: “Our line is whatever Behenji decides.”

Regarding their demand for the removal of Singh as the party in-charge of Rajasthan, Gudda sounded mellowed. “This is a decision for the party to take. I will continue to work for the expansion of the party’s base in my state. I will remain in direct touch with Behenji to ensure my party’s growth in Rajasthan,” he said.