Congress releases Rajasthan 'bribe' tape, demands FIR against union minister Gajendra Shekhawat

NEW DELHI: The Congress leadership on Friday released "first installment of an audio tape and transcript" which it claimed contained alleged conversation between Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat and two MLAs close to rebel leader Sachin Pilot, purportedly discussing money matters for toppling the Ashok Gehlot Government of Rajasthan.

Addressing the press conference at Jaipur, AICC spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the tape proved clenching evidence of BJP leadership's involvement with the Pilot camp in the conspiracy to topple the state government.

He demanded Pilot now speak out on the horse-trading and also sought to know what PM Modi thought about it.


The Congress sought an FIR and arrest of Shekhawat and probe by the State Government's operation special group (OSG).

The Congress also suspended two Pilot loyalist MLAs - Banwarlal Sharma and Vishvendra Singh - from the primary membership of the party.

Even while closing in on to ambush Pilot and trying to drive a wedge among the party MLAs, Congress also tactically repeated its doors are open to rebels, including Pilot to return from the BJP influence - a comment meant to reinforce its arguments against the rebels in the court/disqualification proceedings.