No Plan to Join BJP: Sachin Pilot

Sachin Pilot on Wednesday said that he is not joining Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and that he is still a Congressman after he was sacked by the party as the Deputy CM on Tuesday.

Pilot said, "I am not joining the BJP. I would like to make it clear that I have no plans to join the BJP. Attempts to link me to the BJP are to malign me in the eyes of the Congress high-command," pointing out that he had worked hard to defeat the BJP.

The 42-year-old Congress leader launched a revolt on Sunday after nearly two years of feuding with his main rival and former boss, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. He said he felt humiliated after being asked to appear for questioning in an investigation stared by the Chief Minister into alleged attempts to dislodge the Congress government.

Bruised by Jyotiraditya Scindia's exit three months ago, which led to the Congress collapse in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress reportedly made attempts to reach out to him over the past two days. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was among the top leaders who spoke to him.

Amid reports that he wanted the Congress to name him Chief Minister in place of Ashok Gehlot, Pilot said that he has yet to decide on a future course of action. "I would like to serve the people of Rajasthan," he said.

This morning, the Congress initiated moves to disqualify him and other dissident Rajasthan MLAs for anti-party activities. The move is likely to give the Congress government in Rajasthan an advantage by bringing the majority-mark down in a floor test.