Published 20:29 IST, March 14th 2020
MP Speaker accepts resignation of 6 pro-Scindia ministers; Congress tally dwindles to 108
In a massive development, Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker N. P. Prajapati on Saturday has accepted the resignations of the six pro-Scindia cabinet ministers
In a massive development, Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker N. P. Prajapati on Saturday has accepted the resignations of the six ministers who are supporters of BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia. Earlier in the day, sources said that two MLAs, one from Samajwadi Party and another are currently in Guwahati and are expected to defect to the BJP. The speaker - Prajapati had issued notices to 13 of the 22 MLAs asking them to appear before him by Friday or Saturday.
Six ministers' resignation accepted
Kamal Nath writes to governor
On Friday, Kamal Nath had written to the Governor apprising him of the situation in the state adding, "invite a floor test in the forthcoming session of Madhya Pradesh Assembly already notified from March 16". In response, Governor of Madhya Pradesh Lalji Tandon expelled 6 pro-Scindia ministers who were at the Bengaluru resort. The rebel MLAs had prepared to fly from Bengaluru to Bhopal on Friday, but had cancelled after seeking protection from the Madhya Pradesh police.
Madhya Pradesh political crisis
The crisis in the Kamal Nath government started when Congress alleged BJP of poaching 4 MLAs - Surendra Singh Shera, Bisahulal Singh, Hardeep Singh Dang, and Raghuraj Kansana when they were flown to Bengaluru. While two of them have returned to Kamal Nath's folds, 18 MLAs including 6 cabinet ministers - loyal to Scindia flew to Bengaluru on Monday. Though Kamal Nath dissolved his cabinet, making 20 ministers resign on Monday night at an apparent cabinet rejig attempt, it failed and all 6 rebel cabinet ministers have been expelled.
In a major jolt to the Chief Minister, the former Guna MP Jyotiraditya Scindia formally submitted his resignation to Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday, after all talks of mediation failed. He then formally joined the BJP after he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter's residence along with former BJP party chief Amit Shah and has since then slammed the Congress saying 'it was not the same anymore'. He has since then been fielded by the BJP for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls.
MP Assembly current scenario
With the current halfway mark at 114 in the 228-MLA assembly, BJP currently holds 107 MLAs of its own. Congress which held 114 MLAs - has now been reduced to 108, with the acceptance of the six ministers' resignation. Overall, if the resignation of all 22 rebel MLAs is accepted, the halfway mark will be reduced to 103.
Updated 20:37 IST, March 14th 2020