Girraj Malinga, Congress MLA in a press conference announced that erstwhile Dy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Sachin Pilot had offered him a bribe of Rs 35 Crore for joining the BJP.

Malinga said that he had informed the Chief Minister both the times when Pilot had offered him money for leaving the Congress and joining the BJP.

Sachin Pilot, in the meanwhile said that he was not surprised by the charges but was hurt. He said that this was a means of destroying his credibility in the party, for which is struggled to get a foothold back in Rajasthan. He added that there will be many more such allegations to destroy his public image, but he will come out stronger.

Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister of Rajasthan had earlier hit out at his former deputy and spewed his anger at his deputy’s lack of performance and support over the last 6 months.

He said that Pilot, rather than be a part of the organization, was instead conspiring to overthrow the government for the last 6 months.  He was not very effective in the fight against the ongoing pandemic. He further called him useless and worthless.  Ashok Gehlot also alleged that Pilot has played a dirty game and has broken the trust placed in him by the Congress executive. These personal comments by a Chief Minister against his deputy have not been approved by the Congress party, who is still hopeful of a reconciliation.

Meanwhile, the Rajasthan High Court, which resumes the hearing on Sachin’s petition on his disqualification today at 1030am, had yesterday observed that a whip cannot be issued for a party meeting and is valid only for an assembly session.

Margaret Alva, former senior member of the Congress party and former Union Minister had also expressed her disapproval on how Sachin had timed his mutiny. She said that when the entire country was in turmoil on the COVID situation the mutiny was ill timed and not worthy from a person of the respect and standing of Sachin Pilot.