New Delhi/Jaipur, Jul 22 (UNI) Rajasthan leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday sent a legal notice to Congress MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga who had accused him of offering Rs 35 crore to leave Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's fold and join the BJP.
Mr Pilot asked Mr Malinga, who is an MLA from Badi Assembly, to tender a written apology in press within seven days from receiving the notice or be prepared to face legal action.
If apology is not tendered then legal course of action under Indian Penal Code section 499 (defamation) and 500 (punishment for defaming) will be taken, the notice said.
Mr Pilot maintained that all allegations against him were false and baseless and were made just to tarnish his image and attain political mileage.
The former deputy chief minister, through the notice, asked if such an offer was made in December last year, then why he (Mr Malinga) remained silent for almost seven months.
Mr Pilot claimed that he never spoke Mr Malinga on any such issue.
He alleged that strangely allegations were made by a person who himself switched parties in past.
Mr Malinga on July 20, had alleged that Mr Pilot had given an offer of Rs 35 crore to leave Gehlot camp.
"Sachin offered a lot of money. Yes, it was 35 crore to leave the party. But I categorically rejected," Mr Singh had told reporters.
Mr Malinga, however, said he didn't have any call recording or proof but all his allegations were true.
When asked when did Mr Pilot gave such an offer, Mr Singh replied, "It was on two occasions. One was when I met him for panchayat related work, other was during a meeting on transfer of an official."
Mr Malinga, former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA from Badi, along with five others, was inducted into the Congress in September last year.
UNI PS SB 1951