Ashok Gehlot said yesterday that the BJP was offering MLAs up to Rs 15 crore. (File)
After Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that the BJP is trying to grab power in the state by bribing MLAs, the state Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot reached Delhi with at least eight of his loyalist MLAs and is expected to talk to the party leadership about the developing crisis in government.
Both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have been briefed about the situation, sources said. "Sonia Gandhi will take a call on the matter and all must work together whatever the differences," the leader said.
Ashok Gehlot said yesterday that the BJP, which is the main opposition in the state, was offering MLAs up to Rs 15 crore or "favours" to switch allegiances and help topple his government.
Here are the LIVE updates on Rajasthan government crisis:
Ashok Gehlot calls meeting of Congress MLAs
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has called a meeting of Congress MLAs tonight amid Rajasthan crisis triggered by a rift with deputy Sachin Pilot.
Sachin Pilot And BJP Negotiations: 5 Points, According To SourcesThe Congress government in Rajasthan is on the brink with deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot rushing to Delhi with MLAs loyal to him after his hostilities with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot peaked in the last two days. Sources say Sachin Pilot, who also heads the Congress in Rajasthan, has been in talks with the BJP, which took power in two states earlier, enabled by high-profile defections from the Congress."
BJP working as a political business in Rajasthan: Congress leader
Senior Congress leader PL Punia said while the BJP succeeded in toppling the government in Madhya Pradesh, it would fail to do so in Rajasthan.
Mr Punia told news agency ANI: "The BJP is working as a political business in Rajasthan. They are trying to purchase MLAs by offering them Rs 10-15 crore each as suggested by the Rajasthan Chief Minister. The police have arrested two persons, who were charged with trying to buy elected legislatures. It is very unfortunate."
"As many as 28 MLAs submitted a privilege motion, urging steps to be taken against the BJP. It is in its (BJP's) DNA to grab power by whatever means. They make use of agencies like CBI and ED to run after their rivals," he added.
Worried for Congress: Kapil Sibal
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal has expressed concerns over the direction in which the party is heading.
"Worried for our party Will we wake up only after the horses have bolted from our stables?" Mr Sibal has tweeted.
Sachin Pilot upset over summons for questioning
Sachin Pilot is deeply upset over summons for questioning by the Special Operations Group over allegations of destabilizing the government. Mr Gehlot heads the home ministry which controls law and order.
A letter asking Sachin Pilot to appear for questioning in an investigation into alleged attempts to destabilize the state government is believed to have pushed the Congress crisis to breaking point. Mr Pilot was summoned by the Rajasthan Anti-Terror Squad and the Special Operations Group on Friday over the complaint filed ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections byRajasthan Chief Whip Mahesh Joshi.
"We are confident we won't allow a Madhya Pradesh situation to take place again," a senior leader in the party said. "There is an attempt being made to break our government. A lot of money is being given and promised by the Centre and the BJP," sources said.
Sonia Gandhi to take a call on Rajasthan government issue
Both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have been briefed about the situation, sources said. "Sonia Gandhi will take a call on the matter and all must work together whatever the differences," the leader said.
