Stop accepting BJP's 'hospitality', come back, Randeep Surjewala tells Sachin Pilot

The Congress on Wednesday virtually shut the doors on Sachin Pilot with sharp attacks from Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot who claimed that he had proof that Pilot was hobnobbing with the BJP and Assembly Speaker launching disqualification proceedings against him and his 18 supporters.

Though the Congress made four public appeals to Pilot to return to the party fold, the final one after the latter reiterated that he was not joining the BJP, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala put a number of conditions including an open declaration of loyalty to the Congress and return to Jaipur.

Also Read | Our Deputy CM was striking deals with BJP, says Ashok Gehlot

At the same time, Congress held out no assurance about his demands being met. In Jaipur, the Assembly Speaker asked Pilot and his 18 supporters to explain his absence from the meetings of the Congress Legislature Party held on Sunday and Monday, virtually pushing him to a corner.

"We heard Sachin Pilot’s statement on not joining the BJP through the media. If you don't want to go to the BJP, then immediately reject the hospitality of the Haryana BJP government, free our MLAs from the BJP security ring at two hotels. Stop discussions with the BJP,” said Congress chief spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala.

Also Read | Pilot says not joining BJP; Congress tells him door still open

AICC General Secretary Avinash Pande also made an appeal to Pilot’s supporters to return, after Gehlot’s show of strength by parading 104 MLAs and claiming support of five more, a slender majority in the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly.

Amid the public appeals from Congress, Gehlot launched an all-out attack on Pilot accusing him of hobnobbing with the BJP to topple his government while holding the post of Deputy Chief Minister and the state Congress President.

Also Read | Congress may go the Rajasthan way in Bihar

“It would be wrong to say that I am against the new generation of leaders. Rahul Gandhi likes them, Sonia Gandhi likes them, Ashok Gehlot likes them … they can serve the country better than us …. but if they go ahead and indulge in horse-trading themselves, then will they not harm the nation,” Gehlot told reporters in Jaipur.

"Our deputy chief minister and PCC chief was himself conspiring with the BJP to topple the government. He was talking to the BJP, I have proof. Talks were held at 2:00 a.m.. It is good that we got to know of it in time,” the chief minister said.

Also Read | Congress to send disqualification notices to Pilot, MLAs for not attending CLP meet

Gehlot’s attack came at a time when a section of the Congress felt that a rapprochement with Pilot was still possible.

“Differences are not anti-party. They have to be sorted out and compromise worked out. We have done it over the years.” Alva said.