Rahul Gandhi is “keen to keep the doors open for Sachin Pilot,” sources say. (Archive photo)
New Delhi / Jaipur:
After securing his government in Rajasthan, Congress on Wednesday asked the rebel Sachin Pilot to reject the hospitality of the Haryana government and return to Jaipur to prove his claim that he did not want to go with the Bharatiya Janata party. “Stop immediately accepting BJP hospitality in Haryana, prove your intentions,” said the party, referring to rebel deputies camping in two Gurugram hotels near Delhi. Congress has accused the BJP of trying to push these MPs back with offers of money and jobs.
Meanwhile, sources told GalacticGaming that Rahul Gandhi “wanted to keep the doors open for Sachin Pilot”, a few hours after the rebel leader said he was not joining the BJP and that rumors have spread for “slander him with the Gandhis”. Congress also held back Ashok Gehlot, asking him to moderate his statements against his former deputy, the sources said. The warning, however, came long after Mr. Gehlot claimed he had evidence of Mr. Pilot’s horse trade with the BJP. Rahul Gandhi has not yet had direct contact with Mr. Pilot, although he did speak to him through envoys once over the weekend, congressional sources said. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had touched the base with him three times.
Prime Minister Ashok Gehlot’s camp says it has the support of 106 deputies in the 200-member assembly. Gehlot needs 101 votes to stay in power. Before the Sachin Pilot rebellion, Congress had the support of 122 deputies.
