Pilot’s rebellion with 30 MLAs puts Gehlot govt. on the edge
Simmering differences spill out; Rajasthan Deputy CM says govt. is in minority
The power struggle between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his deputy Sachin Pilot, that has been simmering for long, spilled out into the open on Sunday, threatening the stability of the 20monthold Congress government in Rajasthan. In a statement released through his media adviser, Mr. Pilot said the Gehlot government was now in a minority after over 30 Congress MLAs and some independent lawmakers had pledged support to him. Mr. Pilot also said he would not attend a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party scheduled for Monday. Late night on Sunday, Congress sources said former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had had a conversation with Mr. Pilot. The outcome of the discussion was not immediately clear.‘Moved too far’ Meanwhile, BJP sources said Mr. Pilot had moved too far from the Congress for a turnaround and the party’s next move would depend on the number of MLAs that he could rally behind him. Several MLAs who support Mr. Pilot, have moved to a hotel in Manesar on the outskirts of Delhi while others have moved in with relatives in the Gurgaon area, all in BJP ruled Haryana, a source close to him told The Hindu. Mr. Pilot was miffed over a notice issued by the Special Operations Group of Rajasthan police seeking time from him to record his statement in a case of conspiracy and sedition registered after attempts were allegedly made by the BJP to bribe Congress MLAs to switch sides during last month's Rajya Sabha polls. “The police sending a similar notice to the Chief Minister was just a pretext to harass Mr. Pilot,” the source in his camp said. A source close to Mr. Gehlot, however, said Mr. Pilot was playing into the hands of the BJP.
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