Rajasthan Crisis: Emboldened Congress Taunts Sachin Pilot But Offers Talks: 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: Hours after Sachin Pilot reiterated to the media that he was not joining the BJP, the Congress responded with a dare for the rebel - "Stop accepting the hospitality of the BJP in Haryana immediately". Since Sachin Pilot launched his revolt on Sunday, rebel Congress MLAs loyal to him have been camping at two hotels in Gurgaon near Delhi. The Congress has accused the BJP of trying to reel in these MLAs with offers of money and posts. Sachin Pilot said speculation linking him to the BJP were "attempts to malign him with the Gandhis", which telegraphed his intent to patch up with the Congress. With the rebel squad significantly weakened by differences, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot hit out at Sachin Pilot and also claimed he has enough MLAs 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:

Amid talk of reconciliation, the Congress sent out a message that doubled up as an allegation. "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 leader Randeep Surjewala.
Describing how the Congress reached out to Mr Pilot as he continued to defy the party, Mr Surjewala added that family was always welcome to return. "Come back to the family and return to Jaipur, show your true dedication and commitment," Mr Surjwala said.
This morning, the rebels were issued notice by the Rajasthan assembly Speaker for skipping two meetings of Rajasthan MLAs and were asked to respond by Friday. Mr Pilot was on Tuesday sacked as Deputy Chief Minister and removed as state Congress chief. Two more ministers who are with him were also dropped.
Signs of a retreat were detected as Sachin Pilot re-emphasised this morning 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.
One of the rebel MLAs in his camp, 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.
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 and the rebels may have to accept some time-out while the party decided how to accommodate them.
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.
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. Sources said three rebels were inclined to return.
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.