Jaipur, Jul 20 (IANS): Rajasthan MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga, who was elected on a BSP ticket but switched to the Congress a few months back, on Monday alleged that rebel party leader Sachin Pilot had offered him money to join the BJP, but he had instead alerted Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot about the conspiracy to topple his government.

"I alerted the Chief Minister soon after the incident and I can swear to it in the name of god," he said, adding that the talks of toppling the government were held at Pilot's residence.

In response to the allegations, Pilot, who had earlier in the day dismissed Chief Minister Gehlot terming him "incompetent" as an attempt to malign him, said: "I am saddened but not surprised to be at the receiving end of such baseless and vexatious allegations being levelled against me. This is done solely to malign me and to stifle the legitimate concerns that I had raised against the party leadership of the state, as a member and MLA of INC. This attempt further aims at defaming me and attack my credibility."

Pilot, who was sacked as Deputy Chief Minister and state party chief, also contended that the "narrative is being redirected to avoid addressing the main issue".

"I will be taking appropriate and strictest possible legal action against the MLA who was made to make these accusations. I am sure more such concocted allegations will be thrown at me to cause aspersions on my public image. But I shall be unfettered and remain firm in my beliefs and convictions," he added.