Sachin Pilot offered me money to join BJP: Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga

JAIPUR: In a first direct allegation of horse-trading against Sachin Pilot, Congress legislator Giriraj Singh Malinga claimed the former deputy chief minister offered him money to change loyalties.
The three-time legislator, who represents Bari constituency in Dholpur district, said Pilot made the offer to him more than once, beginning December last year. The MLA said he had informed chief minister Ashok Gehlot soon after that.
“I had gone to his (Pilot’s) house when the delimitation of panchayats was going on (last quarter of 2019). It was a one-on-one meeting with him. Sachin ji (Pilot) did offer me money, but I declined and said I will not join BJP even after resigning,” Malinga said.
As deputy chief minister, Pilot had held PWD and panchayat raj portfolios. Congress sacked Pilot from the posts of deputy CM as well as PCC chief on July 14 on charges of conspiring with the BJP to topple the state government. Based on Congress complaints, the Rajasthan special operations group served him notices on sedition charges, while the speaker served him defection notice, which was heard by the Rajasthan high court on Monday.
Malinga said he received the offer again, prior to the Rajya Sabha elections in June.
On being asked how much money Pilot offered him, Malinga said, “I was told I could ask as much as I wanted. There was no limit. ‘Aap toh muh kholo, kitna chahiye (you just tell, how much you want).”
Explaining why he refused the offer, the legislator said, “I have come to Congress from BSP; now if I leave Congress, where will I go and what would I tell my voters?”
Malinga was among the six BSP MLAs who merged with the Congress in 2009 when Gehlot became chief minister for the second time (2008-2013). In September last year too, all six BSP MLAs merged with the Congress, taking the Congress tally in the assembly to 107.
“I informed the CM about the offer but he said everything would be okay soon. He said some people (MLAs) were getting restless but they will soon fall in line,” he said.
Later in the day, chief minister Gehlot told reporters there were many MLAs like Malinga who were offered money to switch sides. Asked why he delayed action on Malinga’s complaint, the CM said, “The delay saved the government.”