Rajasthan Crisis: "Stop Accepting BJP Hospitality In Haryana," Congress Tells Sachin Pilot: 10 Points

Rajasthan Government: Two more ministers who joined Sachin Pilot revolt was also dropped

Highlights

Differences have emerged in Sachin Pilot's camp, sources said
Threat level to Congress government has gone down, said sources
Mr Pilot was on Tuesday sacked as Deputy Chief Minister

New Delhi: The Congress today sent out a strong message to rebel Sachin Pilot, asking him to "return to the family" and stop accepting BJP hospitality in Haryana. Hours after Sachin Pilot asserted that speculation about him joining the BJP were an attempt to "malign him before the Gandhis", the Congress said: "If you don't want to go to the BJP, immediately turn down the hospitality of the BJP government in Haryana, free Congress MLAs from the BJP police trap." Sachin Pilot's comments had spurred talk of reconciliation alongside reports that his squad of rebels is wobbling. Differences have reportedly emerged among dissident MLAs, some reluctant to break ranks with the Congress. A homecoming for the 42-year-old and his band of rebels may not be that easy, the Congress indicated, suggesting a cooling off period while the party decides how to accommodate them. Top sources said it will be hard for Sachin Pilot to return to Rajasthan, where his main target, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, delivered some tough talking. Mr Gehlot also claimed he has the support of 106 MLAs, more than he needs to stay in power. A test of strength looks unlikely, however, with the BJP saying "it is not needed as of now".

Here's your 10-point cheatsheet to this big story:

This morning, the rebels were issued notice by the Rajasthan assembly Speaker for defying the party and asked to respond by Friday.
But in Delhi, there were signs of a retreat as Sachin Pilot reemphasised that he is not going to the BJP and remains a Congress man. "I am not joining the BJP. I would like to make it clear that I have no plans to join the BJP. The BJP link is an attempt to malign me in the eyes of the Gandhis," Mr Pilot told NDTV.
On cue, one of the rebel MLAs with him, former minister Vishwendra Singh, said: "The Speaker has sent us notices by email. But as far as we are concerned, we are with the Congress." Another rebel, Gajendra Singh Shaktawat, refused to accept the notice. Videos showed the notice being pasted outside his house after his wife refused to take it.
An instant response came from one of Mr Pilot's adversaries in Rajasthan. "The doors have not shut for Pilot. God give him good sense to understand his mistake. I pray that he comes out of the BJP's web," tweeted Avinash Pande, the Congress in-charge of Rajasthan.
Congress sources said Mr Pilot's reiteration that he is not switching sides has been well-received by the Congress leadership and it is "not averse" to speaking with him but at an appropriate time. However, the post of Chief Minister is not on the table, sources say, adding that Mr Pilot should try to come back without any condition.
The BJP, which has 73 MLAs, needs the support of another 35 to take power in Rajasthan. But after talking of a floor test yesterday, the party appeared to reassess its strategy. "We do not feel such need (for a floor test) as of now. If we feel the need, the party (BJP) will sit together and make a decision," said Gulab Chand Kataria, Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan.
Mr Pilot was on Tuesday sacked as Deputy Chief Minister and removed as state Congress chief. "The truth can be harassed but not defeated," Sachin Pilot reacted in a tweet.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's camp claims 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. Mr Gehlot needs 101 votes to stay in power.
Before Sachin Pilot's rebellion, the Congress had 107 MLAs besides the support of 13 independents and five members from smaller parties - 122.
Mr Gehlot has sequestered Congress MLAs at a resort where they were taken straight from a show of strength at the Chief Minister's home on Monday. Every Congress MLA has a police escort.