Jaipur: The ongoing political crisis in Rajasthan took yet another major twist on Tuesday as former deputy chief minister and Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sachin Pilot slammed Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga for claiming that the former offered him Rs 35 crore to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).  ALSO READ | Rajasthan: Premises Of CM Ashok Gehlot's Brother Raided By ED; Know What Is The Alleged Fertiliser Scam

As per the latest development, Pilot has sued Malinga with a legal notice for "the false and malicious statement" he made to the media on Monday. The youth leader has also demanded 'a sum of Re 1 and a written apology' within seven days for making false allegation against him.

Earlier on Monday, Congress MLA Malinga before the Press in Jaipur claimed, "I had a discussion with Sachin Pilot. He spoke to me and said how much do you want. He told me Rs 35 crore. This has been happening since December, it is nothing new. I told them I cannot do this."

Pilot in his response to Malinga's allegations stated that the remarks made by MLA are done solely to malign his reputation.

"I am saddened but not surprised to be at the receiving end of such baseless and vexatious allegations being levelled against me. This is done solely to malign me and to stifle the legitimate concerns that I had raised against the party leadership of the state, as a member and MLA of INC. This attempt further aims at defaming me and attack my credibility," said pilot.

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Meanwhile, Rajasthan legislative assembly speaker CP Joshi on Tuesday filed a petition in Supreme Court stating that speaker has the complete authority to send a show-cause notice. His petition was to challenge the Rajasthan High Court which asked him to not take any action against the 19 rebel MLAs.

Responding to Joshi's move, Sachin Pilot has now filed a caveat before Supreme Court to ensure that no orders are passed on Rajasthan Speaker's petition without hearing Pilot and his supporting MLAs.


The Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday asked the Rajasthan legislative assembly speaker not to act on disqualification notices issued by him to the 19 MLAs till July 24. The high court has fixed 24th July as date for passing order and the hearing before Speaker has also been deferred by Court.