(Riya Singh, Intern Journalist): Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Wednesday that there was no discussion between Sachin Pilot and the BJP. Shekhawat said in a statement that it would be a matter of joy if someone with a mass base joined the BJP, should not be taken as saying that the party had rolled out a carpet to welcome him on Tuesday.
“I had said it is a matter of happiness if anybody with a mass base joins our ideological platform. Our state president and any other senior leader would have spoken with similar intentions. But this should not be interpreted to suggest that we are welcoming somebody with open arms or waiting for him eagerly by rolling out a carpet,” he said.
Rajasthan’s senior BJP member has denied having held talks with Pilot with his party leaders. Shekhawat noted that the chief of Congress has said he’s not in contact with anybody.
The BJP leader also blasted Ashok Gehlot, chief minister of Rajasthan, and said people are waiting for the removal of his administration. Only time will say how many days he will last in place, he added. Gehlot’s Wednesday hit on Pilot made it clear that he is trying to oust him from Congress, he added.
Earlier in the day, Gehlot alleged Pilot was involved in horse-trading with the BJP topple his administration. Pilot was removed on Tuesday in a tussle for power with Gehlot from the posts of Rajasthan’s deputy chief minister and state congress president.