Soon after Sachin Pilot, who was on Tuesday removed as Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and state party chief, announced that he will not join the BJP, the Congress on Wednesday appealed to him to return back to his party as it said that the BJP's attempt to topple the Ashok Gehlot government has failed again.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, addressing a press conference, accused the BJP of trying tto destabilise the otherwise stable government led by Gehlot.
"The last 24 hours have proved that BJP's attempt to topple the government has failed in Rajasthan," he said.
Also noting that it was learned through the media that Pilot does not want to join the BJP, Surjewala said: "If this is the case, then, we request him to reject the facilities being offered by the Haryana government and return back to Jaipur.
"If there are ideological differences, then you can talk in the party forum. We are all ready to listen and find a solution with a generous heart."
Expressing the party's "soft corner" for Pilot, he said that he has been invited to attend the meeting of the legislature party more than once, and the action against him was taken "with a heavy heart".
Noting how Pilot was favoured by the Congress right from the start, Surjewala said: ".. We gave him the MP's position, he became a Union Minister, the PCC Chief and then the Deputy CM. There is hardly anyone who has been pushed forward to such heights by any political party. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi tried to keep the family member retained in the family.... however, unfortunately, nothing could be done and action had to be announced on Tuesday with a heavy heart."
He urged Pilot to come out of the 'chakravyuh' (trap) of ITC Grand and Lemon Tree Hotel. "Stop discussions and conversations with any BJP leader and return to your own house in Jaipur.... I appeal to all who seem to have lost their way, said Surjewala.
( With inputs from IANS )