The never ending political crisis in Rajasthan which has been centered around a major rift between state CM Ashok Gehlot and Congress leader Sachin Pilot took yet another major twist on Tuesday (July 21) as former deputy chief minister and Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sachin Pilot sent a legal notice to Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga for claiming that the former offered him Rs 35 crore to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

As per sources tracking this development, it has been learnt that Pilot has sued Malinga for "the false and malicious statement" he made to the media on Monday.

A statement released by Sachin Pilot's office said: "Sources close to Sachin Pilot, ex-Deputy CM, have informed that he has served Giriraj Malinga MLA a legal notice for the false and malicious statement made by him to the press yesterday."

Earlier on Monday, Congress MLA Malinga told reporters in Jaipur: "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,"

ALSO READ |Rajasthan: Breather For Pilot Camp! No Action Against Him, Other Rebel MLAs Till July 24, Says HC

Pilot countered Malinga's allegations, stating: "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."

"The narrative is being redirected to avoid addressing the main issue. I will be taking appropriate and strictest possible legal action against the MLA who was made to make these accusations. I am sure more such concocted allegations will be thrown at me to cause aspersions on my public image. But I shall be unfettered and remain firm in my beliefs and convictions," he added.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Gehlot been launched a scathing attack on his former deputy CM since this political crisis unfolded, using words like "nikamma" and "nakaara" - variants of "worthless" - to describe him.

Giriraj Singh Malinga isn't the first Rajasthan Congress leader to levy charges against Sachin Pilot over conspiring to bribe MLAs on behalf of the BJP.

"He was conspiring for the past six months with the BJP's support. Nobody believed me when I used to say that a conspiracy is going on to topple the government. Nobody knew that a person with such an innocent face will do such thing," Mr Gehlot said.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Rajasthan High Court directed the State Legislative Assembly Speaker to defer action on disqualification notices to Pilot and 18 other rebel Congress MLAs till July 24.  The court also reserved its verdict on the matter on Friday (July 24). A writ petition was filed by Pilot and 18 other dissident Congress MLAs on July 17, challenging the disqualification notices issued to them by state Assembly Speaker CP Joshi.