Madhya Pradesh: Suspense over floor test continues, Speaker remains non-committal
The crisis in Madhya Pradesh is poised for another twist today as Speaker NP Prajapati hasn't given a confirmation on floor test, that would determine if Chief Minister Kamal Nath's government is in majority. This weekend, Governor Lalji Tandon said the test should be done, but a list of businesses for Monday doesn't mention one. Only the Governor's address and motion of thanks were listed.
Jyotiraditya Scindia left Congress, joined BJP
The 15-month-old government plunged into crisis after 22 legislators resigned, following the footsteps of Jyotiraditya Scindia, a Congress member who joined BJP last week. Scindia's switch hurt Congress, but Nath's loyalists exuded confidence that his government will complete the term. Meanwhile, Congress brought its MLAs back to Bhopal from Jaipur while the legislators who quit are camping in Bengaluru, where BJP is in power.
Congress has wafer-thin majority in the Assembly
The strength of MP Assembly is 228, and Congress has 114 MLAs. With the support of two BSP MLAs, one SP legislator, and four independents, Nath took oath as CM after 2018 Assembly polls. Meanwhile, BJP has 107 MLAs. The Speaker has accepted resignations of six MLAs, bringing down the effective strength to 222, and making the majority mark 112.
Lalji Tandon wants Nath to "win trust"
On Saturday, Tandon wrote a letter to Nath saying that prima facie it seems his government doesn't have the numbers and he should win the trust of the House on Monday. He said voting should be done by a voice note. Subsequently, the state cabinet asked Nath to decide on the issue, saying Tandon's letter holds no constitutional validity.
Nath is ready for test but wants captive MLAs freed
Last night, Nath called on Tandon and the meeting went on for nearly 40 minutes. "The Governor expected me to meet him. A floor test will be decided by the Speaker. The Speaker will discharge his duties and I will do mine," Nath said. Saying he is ready for the floor test, Nath added that the MLAs held "captive" must be released.
Hope due process is followed: Nath tells Tandon
Separately, Prajapati dubbed question on floor test a "hypothetical" one
Notably, Congress is letting Prajapati call the shots. When asked whether he would get a floor test done on the first day of the Budget session, he replied, "Whether the trust vote will happen or not is a hypothetical question. Only tomorrow will I spell out whether the Governor can order a floor test." He said he was more concerned about the coronavirus outbreak.
Naturally, BJP wants floor test, but Congress is reluctant
It's likely that Congress might push for the session to be postponed, in wake of the pandemic, despite BJP demanding otherwise. But BJP has a plan B ready. "Court is one of the options before us if they don't carry out a floor test at the earliest," a BJP source told IE. Meanwhile, former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said his successor is running away.
We only want a floor test: Chouhan
"The Madhya Pradesh government has lost its majority. That is why they are running away from it. The chief minister has said he wants a floor test. Then why is he not doing it? Our only demand is a floor test," Chouhan told reporters.
Speaker wondered why legislators weren't meeting him in person
Adding to the drama, the legislators, who resigned, released video messages urging Prajapati to accept their resignations. But the Speaker wondered why the politicians didn't meet him in person. "Why aren't they not contacting me when they have sent their resignations to me through someone else," he asked. In case, the floor test happens today, BJP will have an upper hand.
