Sachin Pilot denies joining the BJP ahead of a key meet.
Deputy CM of Rajasthan claims to have the support of 30 MLAs, which may bring down his arch-rival Ashok Gehlot’s government.
A day after Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister and Chief of Congress in the state, Sachin Pilot declared an open revolt against his party, has now said that he won’t be joining the BJP. There were strong rumors regarding BJP’s involvement in the fallout and it is predicted that Pilot will end up joining the BJP and topple the state government to become Chief Minister of Rajasthan.
Sachin Pilot to meet BJP President JP Nadda:
Ahead of his meet with BJP Chief JP Nadda today, Pilot told NDTV, that he will not join the BJP. Pilot is said to be camping in Delhi and will be skipping the compulsory show of strength meet at CM’s Ashok Gehlot’s home in Jaipur of Congress MLAs. The 42-year-old has claimed that he has the support of 30 MLAs, which will be enough to topple the current Gehlot government. The Congress, however, disputed his claim, stating that Mr Pilot has 16 MLAs at best and Congress at present has 109 MLAs, the half-way mark in the 200-seat assembly is 101.
Sachin Pilot’s aides say they are open for dialogue with the BJP:
As the Rajasthan crisis unfolds, the BJP is waiting to pounce on any opportunity as it stays in a “wait and watch” mode. Despite his denial to join the BJP, Pilot’s aides have not denied a dialogue with the BJP but said that at present negotiations are not active. On Sunday, a BJP leader said that the rebel Congress leader has “made up his mind” and in no mood to reconcile with his boss, Mr Gehlot. Sources claimed that the Gehlot-led government in Rajasthan is in minority now. BJP has come to power in states like Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh due to making the most out of faults of the Congress.
As per latest breaking news, as many as 96 Congress MLAs have reached the Chief Minister’s house and the party has opened its doors for Pilot to reconcile.
