MP bypolls: CM alleges 'Kamal Nath calling BJP MLAs' as Congress claims 'horse-trading'

As Congress summons all its MLAs to Bhopal fearing 'horse-trading', Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Chouhan on Saturday, alleged that ex-MP CM Kamal Nath was calling BJP MLAs. Reaffirming that BJP MLA will join Congress, he claimed that Kamal Nath 'brought dirt to state's politics'. State assembly's 28 seats went to polls on vember 3, with a 70.27% voter turut. Results will be declared on  vember 10.

Bihar Exit Poll projects RJD to win 5 of 10 key seats; ex-CM Manjhi, Luv Sinha could lose

Shivraj: 'Kamal Nath calling BJP MLAs'

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

Kamal Nath: 'BJP horse-trading again'

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. While Scindia led charge in getting his loyalists re-elected, Congress has t been as vociferous in its by-poll campaigning as BJP.

On same day, Nath also 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.

Bihar Exit Poll: Mahagathbandhan projected to form next govt; RJD single largest party

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.

US Election 2020 LIVE Updates: Commission says ' evidence of fraud' as Biden leads

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.