Rahul Gandhi Wants Ashok Gehlot To Tone Down Sachin Pilot Attack: Sources

Rahul Gandhi hasn’t spoken with Mr Sachin Pilot directly yet. He has spoken to him through ambassadors once over the weekend. According to the Congress sources, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had touched base with him thrice.

Hours after the rebel leader declared that he was not joining the BJP and rumors were spread to “malign him with the Gandhis”. Sources in the Congress told that Rahul Gandhi is “keen on keeping the doors open for Sachin Pilot”,  on Wednesday.

Ashok Gehlot, is also instructed to tone down his statements against his former deputy, according to the sources. He was admonished later.  Mr Gehlot claimed he had proof of Mr Pilot’s horse trading with the BJP by then.

Rahul Gandhi hasn’t spoken with Mr Pilot directly yet. He has spoken to him through ambassadors once over the weekend. According to the Congress sources, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had touched base with him thrice.

Mr Pilot has to take a decision now. Earlier the party challenged the rebel leader to stop fraternizing with the BJP and give up the hospitality of a BJP-ruled state.

There has been no indication about his next move. Any move to script a homecoming of Mr Pilot will involve a cooling-off period, sources earlier said.

The Congress plunged into action swiftly against the key Rajasthan leader. He was not only stripped of posts in the party and the government. The party also initiated disqualification proceedings in the assembly against him and his loyalist MLAs.

After his declaration that he is not joining the BJP on Wednesday, the party challenged the rebel leader to stop fraternizing with the BJP. And also give up the hospitality of a BJP-ruled state.

“We want to tell Pilot that if you don’t want to go to the BJP then don’t accept Haryana’s hospitality. If you don’t want to go to the BJP, stop talking to any BJP leader or member,” senior leader Randeep Surjewala said.

In the evening, Ashok Gehlot accused Mr Pilot of being implicated in the BJP horse trading. The Chief Minister, whose government was pushed to the brink of collapse following Mr Pilot’s rebellion, said, “The former PCC chief was involved in dealings with BJP. I have proof of horse-trading”.

Mr Gehlot told reporters, mentioning a figure of Rs 20 crore.”Money was offered. And who gave the clarification that nothing was happening?

Those who were themselves part of the conspiracy are giving clarifications,” A swift reality check followed from Team Pilot. Two MLAs who switched to the Congress from Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party at Mr Gehlot’s request, questioned how much money they were paid.

With the rebel squad looking significantly weakened, Mr Gehlot’s team said the government is safe as he has the support of 106 MLAs, up from yesterday when the Congress appeared to be barely at the half-way mark in the 200-member assembly.

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