The Congress today avoided collapse in Rajasthan after a revolt by its number two leader in the state, Sachin Pilot, but it packed off at least 100 MLAs to a resort in a sign that its crisis is far from over.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot flashed the victory sign along with Congress MLAs who attended his meeting in Jaipur, asserting that his government is safe. The party has called another meeting of legislators at 10 am tomorrow and invited rebel Sachin Pilot who remained cold to the overtures. As the 42-year-old denied any meeting with Rahul Gandhi, sources close to Mr Gandhi said the two "speak often, directly... and have great respect and affection for each other".
Earlier today, Sachin Pilot today any meeting with Rahul Gandhi and remained unresponsive to Congress attempts to pacify him even as his boss and chief adversary Ashok Gehlot made it clear that he would not forgive attempts at dislodging his government.
Sachin Pilot has denied that he is planning to join the BJP amid reports that he was likely to meet BJP chief JP Nadda in Delhi. There has been speculation that he would take Jyotiraditya Scindia's route in an attempt to reclaim his political space.
The reason behind Sachin Pilot's latest flare up with Mr Gehlot is said to be a letter by Special Operations Group asking him to appear for questioning in an investigation into alleged attempts to destabilize his own government.
The Congress has 107 seats in the 200-strong Rajasthan Assembly and has the support of 10 Independent candidates. Five MLAs from other parties support Ashok Gehlot. The BJP, which has 73 MLAs, needs the support of another 35 to take power in Rajasthan.
