Congress summons all 87 MLAs to Bhopal ahead of MP bypoll results, fearing horse-trading

Fearing a repeat of mass-switching of MLAs from Congress to BJP, grand old party has summoned all its 87 MLAs to Bhopal ahead of Madhya Pradesh bypoll results, report sources on Friday. Sources add that MLAs have been told to stay back in Bhopal on vember 10, as ex-CM Kamal Nath will chair a legislative meeting on vember 11. State assembly's 28 seats went to polls on vember 3, with a 70.27% voter turut. Results will be declared on  vember 10.

Kamal Nath alleges 'BJP horse-trading MLAs again' ahead of Madhya Pradesh bypoll results

Kamal Nath: 'BJP horse-trading again'

Earlier in day, Nath accused BJP of allegedly 'indulging in horse-trading' again. Nath claimed that BJP is facing a massive defeat in bypolls and hence is engaging in horse-trading, by approaching many independent MLAs. Previously, 22 pro-Jyotiraditya Scindia MLAs had quit from Congress, leading to fall of Kamal Nath government.

Leading charge in getting his loyalists re-elected, Scindia has time and again targeted Kamal Nath and veteran Congress MP Digvijaya Singh in his many campaigns across MP. He has often claimed that Kamal Nath put Madhya Pradesh government office (Vallabh Bhavan) under lockdown for 15 months. Critiquing Kamal Nath, Scindia claimed that Congress has always done fraudulent politics by cheating people, doing corruption and illegal mining work. Congress has termed Scindia a 'traitor' and 'blackmailer'. Congress has t been as vociferous in its by-poll campaigning as BJP.

Jyotiraditya Scindia roars 'Yes, I am a dog, my master is public'; lashes at Kamal Nath

Madhya Pradesh crisis & bypolls

crisis in Kamal Nath government started when Congress alleged BJP of poaching 4 MLAs - two of which returned to Kamal Nath's folds. Soon, 22 MLAs including 6 cabinet ministers - loyal to Jyotiraditya Scindia - quit party, reducing Congress to a mirity government with 92 MLAs. Following this, Scindia resigned from Congress and n joined BJP. After Nath stepped down as CM and Madhya Pradesh Speaker accepted all 22 MLAs' resignation, all of m promptly joined BJP. Several more Congress MLAs have joined BJP since n - vacating 28 seats in Assembly.

Jyotiraditya Scindia says 'vote for Congress' in slip-of-tongue; old party embarrasses him

Scindia's rebellion paid off with 12 rebel MLAs being given cabinet portfolios in July's cabinet expansion. Apart from se 12, two rebel MLAs -Tulsi Silawat and Govind Singh Rajput had already been sworn in shortly after CM Shivraj Chouhan took oath, while Scindia himself has been elected to Rajya Sabha. In bypolls, all 14 ministers were in poll fray. To remain in power with a majority on its own, BJP requires to win 9 seats in  bypolls. However, BJP faces danger in MP even if it wins only three seats as y have support of two BSP, one SP, and three Independent legislators.

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