Where did I go wrong? Pilot. Hours after Sachin Pilot reiterates to the media that he was not joining the BJP, the Congress responds with a dare for the rebel - "Stop accepting the hospitality of the BJP in Haryana immediately". Since Sachin Pilot launched his revolt on Sunday, rebel Congress MLAs loyal to him have been camping at two hotels in Gurgaon near Delhi. The Congress has accused the BJP of trying to reel in these MLAs with offers of money and posts. Sachin Pilot said speculation linking him to the BJP were "attempts to malign him with the Gandhis", which telegraphed his intent to patch up with the Congress. With the rebel squad significantly weakened by differences, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot hit out at Sachin Pilot and also claimed he has enough MLAs to stay in power. A test of strength looks unlikely, however, with the BJP saying, "it is not needed as of now".
A day after the Congress cracked the whip and ousted Rajasthan PCC chief Sachin Pilot, the party on Wednesday dissolved all working committees, departments and cells of the PCC with immediate effect to pave the way for their reconstitution.
All India Congress Committee General Secretary in-charge Avinash Pandey, who issued the orders to this effect, said that since new Pradesh Congress Committee chief Govind Singh Dotasara has been appointed, the new working committees, cells and departments will be set up in consultations with him.
No Congress leader shall talk to the media without the permission of Dotasara, he said.
Meanwhile, the opposition party issued notices to rebel MLAs along with Pilot for allegedly flouting the party whip and not attending Congress meetings called on Monday and Tuesday and asked them to reply within two days.
Pilot who was sacked on Tuesday as both PCC chief and deputy CM for leading the rebellion against the leadership of Ashok Gehlot.
Soon after Sachin Pilot announced that he will not join the BJP, the Congress appealed to him to return back to his party as it said that the BJP’s attempt to topple the Ashok Gehlot government has failed again.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, addressing a press conference, accused the BJP of trying tto destabilise the otherwise stable government led by Gehlot.
“The last 24 hours have proved that BJP’s attempt to topple the government has failed in Rajasthan,” he said.
Also noting that it was learned through the media that Pilot does not want to join the BJP, Surjewala said: “If this is the case, then, we request him to reject the facilities being offered by the Haryana government and return back to Jaipur.
“If there are ideological differences, then you can talk in the party forum. We are all ready to listen and find a solution with a generous heart.”
Expressing the party’s “soft corner” for Pilot, he said that he has been invited to attend the meeting of the legislature party more than once, and the action against him was taken “with a heavy heart”.
Noting how Pilot was favoured by the Congress right from the start, Surjewala said: “.. We gave him the MP’s position, he became a Union Minister, the PCC Chief and then the Deputy CM. There is hardly anyone who has been pushed forward to such heights by any political party. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi tried to keep the family member retained in the family…. however, unfortunately, nothing could be done and action had to be announced on Tuesday with a heavy heart.”
He urged Pilot to come out of the ‘chakravyuh’ (trap) of ITC Grand and Lemon Tree Hotel. “Stop discussions and conversations with any BJP leader and return to your own house in Jaipur…. I appeal to all who seem to have lost their way, said Surjewala.
In a tweet, the All India Congress Committee General Secretary and in-charge of party affairs in Rajasthan said: “The doors are not closed for Pilot in the party. May God give him wisdom and he understands his mistake. I pray that he comes out of the BJP’s make-believe trap.”
His remarks came after Pilot made it clear that he will not join the BJP.
Pilot alleged that some leaders in Rajasthan were trying to fuel speculation that he will join the BJP.
Pilot was sacked on Tuesday as both PCC chief and Deputy Chief Minister for leading the rebellion against the leadership of Ashok Gehlot. (IANS)