Sonia Gandhi's top aide Ahmed Patel makes last-ditch overture to Scindia amid MP crisis

In a last-ditch attempt to pacify miffed Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, senior Congress leader and Sonia Gandhi-aide Ahmed Patel tried to convince former to remain within party's fold. This comes a day after all Madhya Pradesh cabinet ministers tendered ir resignations to Madhya Pradesh CM in an apparent effort to create for Scindia-camp MLAs, 18 of whom jetted off to Bengaluru. Furrmore, on Tuesday morning, in a startling twist, Jyotiraditya Scindia reached PM Modi's residence with Amit Shah.

According to sources, Sonia Gandhi had directed Ahmed Patel to convince miffed leader; however, Scindia hasn't responded. Earlier, Sonia Gandhi had also called Scindia amid growing number of rebels in Madhya Pradesh Congress MLAs. Sources have also reported that Scindia had demanded both a Rajya Sabha seat in upcoming polls and post of Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee chief, but Congress' purported willingness to accept se demands doesn't appear to have compelled former Guna MP to change his mind. 

In latest development, it is reported that re are efforts being made to woo back disgruntled Jyotiraditya Scindia to save Madhya Pradesh govt. Reportedly, Rahul Gandhi met with Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi at 10 Janpath in national capital to discuss political crisis on Monday night.

READ: BIG: All eyes on Jyotiraditya Scindia as BJP says 'he's definitely welcome' amid MP drama

READ: Why Jyotiraditya Scindia's exit would be a hammerblow to Congress

BJP 'welcomes' Scindia 

BJP's Narottam Mishra on Tuesday morning said that senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia was 'welcome to join' saffron party if he wishes to. "Scindia Ji is definitely welcome to join BJP if he wishes to. Our party inducts even grass-root level workers, n Scindia Ji is a tall leader," said Mishra. 

In 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Congress currently has 114 MLAs, followed by BJP with 107, with current number of rebel MLAs posing a serious threat to Kamal Nath government.

READ: Digvijaya Singh claims Scindia contracted swine flu amid MP political drama

Kamal Nath meets Sonia Gandhi

Addressing deepening rifts, Kamal Nath has stated that he had met Sonia Gandhi and discussed political situation but evaded comments on Scindia - who skipped meeting with Nath and Sonia Gandhi claiming 'ill-health'.

READ: Madhya Pradesh Crisis LIVE Updates: Scindia meets PM Modi with Shah; Congress desperate