Ashok Gehlot's Rajasthan Police books Sachin Pilot’s aide for 'fake news' of phone tapping

Months after Sachin Pilot camp in Rajasthan alleged phone tapping, state's police has filed an FIR against Pilot’s media manr Lokendra Singh accusing him of spreading “misleading and fake news”. Denying  allegations, Police said in FIR lodged on October 1 that "misleading news" that that phones of MLAs who were in Jaisalmer were being tapped was being shared on WhatsApp.

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Amid political turmoil between Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, latter's camp alleged phone tapping by CM.  Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also sought a report on allegations from Rajasthan Chief Secretary. 

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As controversy exploded during feud between CM Gehlot and Pilot, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra demanded a CBI inquiry on phone tapping. Patra had asked Ashok Gehlot government if orders were passed to tap phones of all leaders in Rajasthan and are still going on? 

Pilot returns to Congress

Ending feud, Pilot and 18 rebel MLAs returned to Congress after Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi met with him, agreeing to appoint a 3-member panel to probe into Sachin Pilot's demands. While sources had reported that Gehlot camp is dissatisfied with Pilot and his rebel MLAs' return, Pilot has maintained that he had only highlighted certain governance issues and re was friction in party. Congress held a CLP meeting and decided to move a 'motion of confidence' supporting Ashok Gehlot in Assembly on Friday, opposing BJP's -confidence motion.

Pilot & his MLAs rebelled when Rajasthan's Special Operations Group (SOG) issued tice to Pilot in connection with alleged involvement of BJP leaders for toppling state government with BJP members. In response, Pilot and 18 MLAs arrived in Delhi, reducing Congress' numbers from 107 to 88. Though Gehlot has submitted a letter of 102 MLAs, Congress also sacked Pilot as Deputy CM, PCC chief and cabinet posts. It is assumed, apart from  public statements and versions of all concerned, that Pilot was unable to gar and hold on to sufficient number of MLAs to bring down Gehlot's government, and has lost his standing within party and Rajasthan government, including in terms of official posts. 

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