Horse-trading committed, Sachin Pilot was involved: Ashok Gehlot
New Delhi/IBNS: Even as the former deputy chief minister of Rajasthan, Sachin Pilot, made it clear that he is not joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), CM Ashok Gehlot alleged that he has proof that the rebel politician was involved in horse-trading with the saffron league.
"The former PCC chief was involved in dealings with BJP. I have proof of horse-trading," Gehlot told media in Jaipur.
The Rajasthan CM said he has proof that horse-trading was committed and money was offered to those who rebelled.
"Our deputy chief minister and PCC (state Congress chief) himself was doing the deal and was giving statements that no horse-trading was taking place," he said.
This comes on a day when Sachin Pilot already confirmed that he will not be joining the BJP.
The rebel leader said that he is still a Congressman.
Pilot told NDTV: "I am not joining the BJP. I would like to make it clear that I have no plans to join the BJP. It is an attempt to malign me by linking me to the BJP."
“I am still a member of the Congress party,” he added.
After a Congress Legislative Party meeting on Tuesday removed Sachin Pilot from all the posts he held in Rajasthan, he responded with a one-line tweet, "The truth can be harassed but not defeated."
He also immediately changed his Twitter bio to "MLA from Tonk and former minister of IT, telecom and corporate affairs in the government of India".
The Congress too took a softer stand on him and offered scope for reconciliation.
"We have seen Sachin Pilot's statement that he won't join the BJP. I'd like to tell him that if you don't want that, then immediately come out of the security cover of BJP's Haryana government. Stop all conversations with them and come back to your home in Jaipur," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told media.
Congress' national general secretary and Rajasthan in-charge Avinash Pande also said that the party has not 'closed its doors' for rebel leader Sachin Pilot.
"The party's doors have not been closed for Pilot, may God give him good sense to realise his mistake. I hope he gets out of the elusive trap of BJP," Pande wrote on Twitter in Hindi.
However, Gehlot, whose government in Rajasthan is presently not at threat by the rebel of Sachin Pilot and his supporters, seemed not to budge in.
He said: "Speaking good English, giving good quotes and being handsome isn't everything. What is in your heart for the country, your ideology, policies and commitment, everything is important."
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