Jaisalmer: Rajasthan politics stands at crossroads after the former Congress leader Sachin Pilot was removed as Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister following a rebellion by him against state Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
While Ashok Gehlot is the rock that binds the Congress cadre in the state, Sachin Pilot was the young starlet that the Congress was banking on, not just in Rajasthan but also in the Centre at some point in the future.
The recent turn of events has left all that in shatters as both Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot showing unwillingness to make amends.
Amid the political turmoil, many ministers of the state government and legislators have been camping in Jaisalmer for the last several days.
Speaking on this to ETV Bharat, Rajasthan Congress Co-in charge, Vivek Bansal said that Jaisalmer is a delightful and historic site and has its own natural diversity.
Talking about the 6 BSP MLAs, who had later joined Congress, Bansal said that he doesn't consider them the part of BSP anymore.
Read: Rajasthan 'horse-trading' MLA's homes searched
"As soon as they joined Congress, they became an integral part of the party. They are no more BSP MLAs and it would be utterly wrong to say them BSP MLAs," said Bansal.
He also said that this matter is still pending before the court, so it would not be right to say anything further.
Speaking on the remarks of Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary that the Congress MLAs are in 'Jail' and once they are 'freed' the government will collapse in the state, Bansal said, "The pot calling the kettle black."
"Just because the BJP is making an open bid for MLAs and is busy auctioning democracy, the MLAs have been brought to Jaisalmer. Bansal said that democracy is the soul of the country and whoever strikes its integrity, strikes the unity and integrity of the country," Bansal said.
He further alleged that the BJP is involved in "horse-trading" to topple the Ashok Gehlot-led government in the state.
"The BJP lured our MLAs and tried to break the party but the Congress has kept democracy safe since independence. Many challenges have come from time to time but the Congress never faltered," he said.
It is to be noted that Bansal refused to comment on the phone tapping issue by saying that reality will only come after the matter is investigated thoroughly.
Also Read: Rajasthan: BJP MLA files fresh plea in HC challenging BSP MLAs joining Cong
