Jaipur: Rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot Monday said efforts were afoot to malign him, and threatened legal action against the party MLA who alleged that Pilot offered him Rs 35 crore to switch to the BJP.
Earlier in the day, Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga alleged that Pilot offered him Rs 35 crore to switch to the BJP but he refused. Malinga represents the Bari constituency. Speaking to the media in Jaipur, Malinga said he had informed Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot about Pilot’s “offer”.
Responding to the charges, Pilot said it was an “attempt further aimed at defaming me and attacked my credibility”.
“I am saddened but not surprised to be at the receiving end of such baseless and vexatious allegations being levelled against me,” Pilot said. “This is done solely to malign me and to stifle the legitimate concerns that I had raised against the party leadership of the state as a member and MLA of the INC.”
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Will take legal action: Pilot
The former Rajasthan deputy chief minister said he will be taking legal action against MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga.
“The narrative is being redirected to avoid addressing the main issue. I will be taking appropriate and strictest possible legal action against the MLA who was made to make these accusations,” he said in a statement issued by him.
Pilot further said this was being done to tarnish his public image.
“I am sure more such concocted allegations will be thrown at me to cause aspersions on my public image. But I shall be unfettered and remain firm in my beliefs and convictions,” he added.
Never has state party chief tried to topple his own govt: Gehlot
Earlier in the day, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot described Pilot as “nikamma (useless)” and “nakaara” and said never in the history of the Congress has a party chief indulged in toppling his own government.
The chief minister also said Pilot got respect from Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, but he “back-stabbed” the party.
Commenting on Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga’s allegation that he was offered Rs 35 crore by Pilot to join the BJP, Gehlot said there are several such examples but the MLAs are not up for sale.
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