Sachin Pilot sends legal notice to MLA Malinga for 'offered going rate to join BJP' claim

After Congress MLA from Rajasthan Giriraj Singh Malinga alleged on Monday that rebel party leer Sachin Pilot h offered him money to join BJP, sources have said that  sacked Deputy CM has sent a legal tice to  MLA. A mess on WhatsApp group run on behalf of Pilot said he has served MLA with a legal tice for false and malicious statement me to press, PTI reported.

Malinga is part of a group of six Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLAs, which was inducted last September into Congress which n h a slim majority in assembly.

'Strictest possible legal action'

Pilot has rejected Malinga's allegation as baseless, saying it was levelled to malign him and stifle legitimate concerns he h raised against party's leership in Rajasthan. "I will be taking appropriate and strictest possible legal action against MLA who was me to make se accusations," he said in a statement.

On Monday, Malinga said talks were held at Pilot's residence and subsequently, he h alerted Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot about conspiracy to topple Congress government in Rajasthan.

"I h a talk with Sachin Ji. He offered me money to join BJP, but I refused, saying I will t join saffron party," Malinga told reporters. He did t disclose amount that he was allegedly offered to join saffron party. Asked if it was between Rs 30 crore and Rs 35 crore, Malinga said he was offered "going rate".

RE | Sachin Pilot lashes out at 'conspiring with BJP' claims, says 'will take legal action'

He said he would t join Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) even after resigning as an MLA. "How will I face people of my area? What will I tell m?" he asked.

RE | Rajasthan HC to prounce verdict on plea of Sachin Pilot & 18 or MLAs on July 24

Ar brear for Pilot camp

Meanwhile, Sachin Pilot and 18 or dissident Congress MLAs got ar reprieve on Tuesday with Rajasthan High Court putting off its order on ir petitions for three days and Speaker also agreeing to defer any action till n.

division bench completed hearing of arguments and said it will prounce its order on Friday, requesting Speaker too to extend his deline for accepting MLAs replies to tices. tices h followed a Congress complaint that 19 MLAs should be disqualified from assembly for defying a party whip.

RE | Rajasthan BJP chief criticises 'weak' Gehlot over 'his choice of words' for Sachin Pilot

RE | Bhupesh Baghel links Abdullahs' release to Sachin Pilot; Omar threatens legal action

(With PTI inputs)