Political crisis in Madhya Pradesh deepens; Congress, BJP guard leaders
The Congress government in Madhya Pradesh is facing its biggest crisis after 22 legislators, including six ministers, tendered their resignations. In a bid to hold onto power, Congress is likely to move its remaining MLAs from the central state to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan where it is the ruling party. Meanwhile, BJP MLAs arrived at a luxury hotel in Gurugram this morning.
Jyotiraditya Scindia, once a Gandhi family loyalist, quit Congress
Congress spoke about BJP's attempts of horse-trading last week when 10 MLAs were "taken" to a hotel in Gurugram. However, BJP washed its hands of the development and said Congress MLAs were disgruntled with Chief Minister Kamal Nath. Thereafter, in a surprising development, Jyotiraditya Scindia, seen close to the Gandhis, tendered his resignation. The letter became public yesterday but was dated March 9.
Scindia was eyeing CM post, RaGa chose Kamal Nath
Had it not been for Scindia, son of veteran Congress leader late Madhavrao Scindia, Congress wouldn't have won the 2018 Assembly elections. After Congress regained power, the 49-year-old hoped to be made the CM, but former party President Rahul Gandhi chose Nath instead. In the last couple of months, Scindia has been quite vocal about his disdain towards Nath and Congress' policies.
Scindia left Congress red-faced on Holi
For Congress, Scindia's resignation letter addressed to interim President Sonia Gandhi brings nothing but embarrassment. The four-time parliamentarian and a former Union Minister wrote, "My aim and purpose remain the same... to serve the people of my state and country, I believe I am unable to do this anymore within this party." Congress clearly failed to read the revolt and underestimated Scindia's clout.
Congress failed to understand the support Scindia enjoys
The grand old party anticipated Scindia could garner the support of not more than five MLAs, that too from his stronghold Guna-Gwalior. With Nath and former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh constantly sidelining him, Scindia went rogue. Soon after he resigned, 22 legislators stepped down. And now, to save the remaining flock, Congress decided to keep them in Jaipur. The legislators who resigned are incommunicado.
Some Congress leaders are in Bengaluru. BJP MLAs in Gurugram!
The rebel Congress MLAs are sequestered in Bengaluru, and Congress' Sajjan Singh Verma and Govind Singh have been sent to pacify them. Anticipating that Congress might also attempt horse-trading, BJP moved its leaders to ITC Grand Bharat in Gurugram. BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said, "We are here for holidays and we are in a festive mood. We will be staying in Delhi."
Gurugram to be BJP leaders' home for a few days
Government will complete five years: Nath
Separately, putting up a brave face in the eye of the storm, Nath said yesterday that his government would survive five years. "There is nothing to worry about. We will prove our majority," Nath told media persons. This morning, Congress MLA Arjun Singh also exuded confidence when he said, "Him (Jyotiraditya Scindia) leaving doesn't affect anything, days of Rajas-Maharajas are long gone."
Digvijaya Singh said Scindia wasn't sidelined
Blindsided, Sonia has asked leaders like former Union Minister Muku Wasnik, Harish Rawat, and Deepak Babaria to contain the damage, reports ANI. Meanwhile, Digvijaya Singh said Scindia was not ignored. "In fact, please ask any Congress Leader from MP particularly from Gwalior Chambal Division and you would come to know nothing moved in this area without his consent," the 73-year-old tweeted.
