Congress Leader P L Punia Clarifies After Saying Sachin Pilot Is Now In BJP, Calls It Slip Of Tongue

Chhattisgarh in-charge of the Congress party P L Punia on Monday (13 July) clarified that the statement attributed to him over Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot joining the BJP was a slip of tongue.

Earlier ANI had quoted Punia as saying that "Sachin Pilot ab BJP mein hain (Sachin Pilot is now in BJP)".

Punia also denied allegations that Pilot was being ignored in the Congress party and added that all party leaders and workers are respected in the organisation.

After the statement went viral, Punia took to twitter to state that, "It is clear in the video that question was asked about Scindia ji and my reply was about Sh Scindia and by slip of tongue I took Sachin Pilots’ name instead of Scindia. Mistake is regretted".

Media reports had earlier claimed that 30 Congress MLAs along with some independent lawmakers had pledged their support to Sachin Pilot regardless of any decision he makes over his political future.

Rajasthan Congress meanwhile has issued a whip to all its party MLAs to attend the legislative party meeting today.

It was earlier reported that as per party's Rajasthan In-charge Avinash Pande, Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot is not responding to calls and has not been communicating.

Pande said the party wants to hear him out but "indiscipline will not be tolerated".

Avinash Pande who is in Jaipur said: "I have tried to speak to Sachin Pilot and have even left messages for him but he has not replied.

"Nobody is above party and he has to face action like other MLAs."

With Inputs From IANS