Sachin Pilot to skip Congress meet, claims Gehlot govt is in minority

Delhi : Rajasthan Deputy CM Sachin Pilot not to attend Congress Legislative Party meeting scheduled to be held on Monday. Pilot says Ashok Gehlot government in minority after over 30 Congress and some independent MLAs have pledged support to Sachin Pilot," a statement from Pilot's office read.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot held a a legislature party meeting at his residence this evening, after which the party issued a message of solidarity. "Gehlot-ji has the majority. We will bring more MLAs from BJP than we would lose," Congress MLA Rajendra Gudda.

However, throughout the day several ministers and MLAs visited Ashok Gehlot’s home amid a political neck-deep crisis in the state which is the tussle between Gehlot and his deputy Sachin Pilot.

It may be mentioned here, earlier in the day, senior leader Kapil Sibal was the first to publicly acknowledge the issue, saying he was worried for the party. Requesting a quick resolution of the crisis, he asked when would the party leadership wake up.

Taking to his social media handle Sibal wrote, “Worried for our party. Will we wake up only after the horses have bolted from our stables.”

“Sad to see my former colleague, Sachin Pilot too, being sidelined and persecuted by Rajasthan CM, Ashok Gehlot. Shows that talent and capability find little credence in the Congress,” Scindia said while taking a dig at the Congress.

Trying to play down reports of factionalism in its Rajasthan unit, Congress general secretary in-charge for the state Avinash Pande said the government in the state was stable and would last its full term.

Sachin Pilot is now in Delhi with some loyalist MLAs. Leaders said he might float a regional party as the BJP is not ready to offer him the Chief Minister's post. The BJP has denied any talks with Sachin Pilot.