Published 22:22 IST, March 9th 2020
MP effect? CM Gehlot rushes to Delhi after tiff with Sachin Pilot as Scindia's MLAs rebel
While crisis has hit Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan Congress too seems to be imploding. As per sources, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has rushed to Delhi
Update at 10:23 PM
Governor of Madhya Pradesh - Lalji Tandon cuts short his 5 days holiday and returned to Bhopal, amid political upheavel in the state as 18 MLAs rebel.
While crisis has hit Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan Congress too seems to be imploding. As per sources, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday has rushed to Delhi to allegedly meet Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi, as per sources. This development has occurred reportedly after Rajasthan Deputy CM Sachin Pilot has disagreed to allegedly nominate a member from the influential diamond merchants - Arora family, for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls where 55 seats are up for grabs - Rajasthan included.
Scindia sets demands to Sonia Gandhi
Meanwhile, in a last-ditch attempt to pacify miffed Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sonia Gandhi has called Scindia amid the growing number of rebels in Madhya Pradesh Congress MLAs, as per sources. Sources have also reported that Scindia has demanded both a Rajya Sabha seat in the upcoming polls and the post of the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee chief. Amidst this development, BJP is in swift action as sources report senior BJP leaders Narottam Mishra and Shivraj Singh Chouhan are currently in former BJP chief Amit Shah's residence - hinting at BJP's decision to call for a trust vote in the MP assembly. In the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Congress currently has 114 MLAs, followed by the BJP with 107.
Scindia miffed in Delhi
Earlier in the day, 6 Congress ministers and 12 rebel MLAs who allegedly supported Scindia have been holed in different resorts in Bengaluru. Addressing the deepening rifts, Kamal Nath met with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and stated that he had discussed the political situation with Gandhi, but evaded comments on Scindia - who skipped the meeting with Nath and Sonia Gandhi claiming 'ill-health'. The former Guna MP who is currently in Delhi has allegedly been contacted by a senior BJP MLA, as per sources. Scindia has been miffed about not being elected CM and not being elected as Madhya Pradesh Congress chief - both of which were given to Nath.
Rebellion in Congress
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh alleged that BJP of poaching its MLAs in MP by offering bribes, which was rubbished by BJP. According to sources, out of the four missing MLAs, two MLAs -- Surendra Singh Shera and Bisahulal Singh -- are back, while the other two Congress MLAs -- Hardeep Singh Dang and Raghuraj Kansana are still missing. While Hardeep Singh Dang, the MLA from Suwasra, was reported to have sent his resignation letter, it has not been accepted by the Speaker. Several senior MLAs and cabinet ministers including Digvijaya Singh are currently in Kamal Nath's residence to address the rifts and discuss possible cabinet expansion.
Updated 22:25 IST, March 9th 2020