BJP MLAs met Governor Lalji Tandon today.
Madhya Pradesh crisis HIGHLIGHTS: Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon has asked Chief Minister Kamal to conduct a floor test tomorrow, failing to which it would be considered that the present government lacks majority in the state assembly.
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Also, the BJP moved the Supreme Court oafter the much-anticipated floor test in Madhya Pradesh did not take place following the adjournment of the Assembly by Speaker NP Prajapati over the coronavirus pandemic. The BJP also submitted a letter and paraded 106 MLAs before Governor Lalji Tandon. Stating that while Congress has only 92 members, Shivraj Singh Chouhan accused the chief minister of running away from the battlefield. Citing coronavirus outbreak, Speaker adjourned the House today.
Earlier this morning, in a brief address to the Assembly, Governor Tandon advised everyone in the House to uphold the law so that the “dignity of Madhya Pradesh remains protected.” He was received by CM Kamal Nath outside the House who was seen carrying a mask. While the Speaker and Congress legislators were seen sporting masks, BJP MLAs were not wearing them.
The BJP moved the Supreme Court on Monday after the much-anticipated floor test in Madhya Pradesh did not take place following the adjournment of the Assembly by Speaker NP Prajapati over the coronavirus pandemic.
The top court will hear the matter on Tuesday after a petition was filed by former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and nine other MLAs demanding that the Kamal Nath-led Congress government face a trust vote within 12 hours. READ MORE
Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon wrote a letter to Chief Minister Kamal Nath Monday, asking him to conduct a floor test tomorrow, failing to which it would be considered that the present government lacks majority in the state.
Amid ongoing political tussle in Madhya Pradesh, senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Monday met state Governor Lalji Tandon, and termed it as a "courtesy" visit. Talking to reporters after meeting the governor, Singh said he had known Tandon for the last many years and that they did not discuss politics.
Madhya Pradesh has been in a political turmoil since last Tuesday after 22 MLAs of the ruling Congress resigned. They are believed to be the loyalists of rebel Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, who has since joined the BJP. The governor had on Saturday night directed Chief Minister Kamal Nath to hold a floor test on the first day of the Budget session beginning on Monday in view of the resignations. (PTI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Monday wrote to state Governor Lalji Tandon stating that holding of a floor test in the Assembly would have been "undemocratic and unconstitutional" in view of some MLAs of the Congress being held in "captivity" by the BJP with the help of the Karnataka Police. The Legislative Assembly was adjourned till March 26 on the first day of the Budget session on Monday amid the concern raised by the state government over coronavirus infection, without holding a floor test as demanded by the BJP.
"I would like you to recall that when I met you on March 13, 2020, I had brought to your notice that the BJP has kept many Congress MLAs as captive under the control of Karnataka Police and they were forced to give different types of statements. "I have clarified that in such a situation holding any floor test has no meaning and it will be undemocratic and unconstitutional," Nath stated in his six-page letter dated March 16.
"The floor test will be meaningful only when all the MLAs are free from captivity and totally free from all kind of pressure," he added. (PTI)
BJP MLA from Maihar Narayan Tripathi, one of the MLAs who voted with the ruling Congress party in Assembly on a bill in July 2019, was not among the leaders paraded before the Governor. His name is not on the list of BJP leaders submitted to the Governor.
Instead, Tripathi visited the CM house claiming that he was there to demand that Maihar be declared a district. He had made the same demand when he met the CM at midnight a few days ago!
The BJP's plea, mentioned before the mentioning officer of the apex court for urgent hearing, said the Speaker, the Chief Minister and the Principal Secretary of the Assembly be directed to "hold the floor test in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly within 12 hours of the passing of the order by this court and as directions...issued by Governor".
"The government led by Chief Minister Kamal Nath has been reduced to minority. It has no moral legal, democratic or constitutional rights to remain in power even for a single day. "All possible attempts are being made by the Chief Minister to convert his minority government into majority by giving all possible threats, allurements to the members of Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. The horse trading is at its peak. Therefore, it is essential that the floor test is conducted on March 16 itself as already directed by Governor so that it becomes absolutely clear as to whether the chief minister continues to enjoy the confidence of the majority of the Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha". It said any deferment of the floor test will further encourage "horse trading" and will be in utter violation of the directions issued by the Governor, law laid down by this court and the spirit and basic structure of the Constitution of india.
The BJP leaders led by Shivraj Singh Chouhan reached Raj Bhavan some time back. The party paraded 106 MLAs before the Governor and submitted a letter with signatures. Guv Tandon asked them if they had come voluntarily to which they said yes while raising their hands. The Governor said he had given certain directions (floor test) and that they should have been followed. Former CM and MLA Shivaraj Singh Chouhan said the party paraded it's MLAs before the governor because the government was in minority. "The govt has lost majority and has no right to remain in power."
It has been proven time and again that any instruction issued to the Speaker by the Governor is not binding. The Governor may only order the Chief Minister, but not the Speaker of the house. However, the House must resume and pass the state budget before the end of the financial year as it will otherwise be difficult for the state to function from April.
But a senior minister told The Indian Express that the Supreme Court has made it clear in the Karnataka issue that the resignation should be accepted. “For the BJP, it is a comfortable position — if the resignation is accepted, the MLAs can’t vote, if it’s not, they will vote against their party whip,” the minister said, adding that the BJP was going to gain two seats.
Amid the political crisis in Madhya Pradesh, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh visited Governor Lalji Tandon. "I share a very good relationship with the Governor. It was a courtesy meet and we did not discuss politics," he said. Meanwhile, a group of BJP leader led by Shivraj Singh Chouhan also reached Raj Bhavan
Talking to The Indian Express, a BJP leader said that the party is confident that "all technical hurdles” will be cleared in Madhya Pradesh and a government will be in place soon. It may take a day or sometimes a week for the legal issues to be cleared,” said a top source in the BJP. According to the senior leader in the party, the speaker cannot “insist that the MLAs should work with one leader if they don’t want to.”
“We are just waiting to see how far they (the Congress and Kamal Nath) will go. Let’s see,” he said when asked about the party approaching the Supreme Court for the floor test as well as on the issue of resignation of the MLAs. “The MLAs have made it clear that they are not working with the Congress or the Chief Minister” he pointed out.
The leader said the Supreme Court verdicts in the past are clear on what should be done with the resignation of MLAs. “There are laid out rules,” he said. The BJP he said will adopt all “democratic tools and procedures” to see that a government with majority support in place in Madhya Pradesh. A senior minister told The Indian Express that the Supreme Court has made it clear in the Karnataka issue that the resignation should be accepted.
Minutes after the Assembly was adjourned, the BJP moved the Supreme Court demanding a trust vote, reported news agency ANI. A group of MLA led by Shivraj Singh Chouhan have also reached Raj Bhavan
" If the BJP thinks it has the numbers it should bring a no-confidence motion. Nobody has stopped it from bringing the motion. We will prove our majority," Chief Minister Kamal Nath said.
Hours before the session of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly began on Monday, Chief Minister Kamal Nath wrote a letter to Governor Lalji Tandon saying that his directive to hold a floor test was out of the purview of his constitutional rights and that it "does not lie within the domain of the Governor to interfere with the functions of the Speaker".
In his letter, Kamal Nath claimed that some of his MLAs are being held hostage in Karnataka and says are being forced to make video statements. He added a floor test could be conducted when all the MLAs are "free from coercion and not under any pressure".
Soon after Governor Lalji Tandon's address, Madhya Pradesh Assembly was adjourned till March 26. No trust vote proceedings were held. Before leaving the House, the governor urged the legislators to follow the Constitutional traditions, maintain dignity of democracy and act peacefully in the current situation prevailing in the state.
In a brief address to the Assembly, Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon advised the MLAs to uphold the law. “All must follow the rules under the Constitution so that dignity of Madhya Pradesh remains protected,” the Governor said.
CM Kamal Nath writes to Governor Lalji Tandon today stating, "Hope due procedure and Constitution will be followed", as suspense over floor test continues, news agency ANI reported
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister received Governor Lalji Tandon outside the Madhya Pradesh Assembly. Many MLAs including the chief minister were seen sporting masks in wake of the coronavirus spread
Most of the 22 MLAs who have resigned from the Assembly, putting the Kamal Nath government in danger, represent seats in and around the Gwalior region and swear allegiance to Jyotiraditya Scindia. Some of them have also cited their resentment with the government, accusing it of ignoring their concerns and overlooking them for ministerial berths. A quick profile of the 22 leaders who are camping in Bengaluru
Ahead of the Budget Session, Congress and BJP MLAs arrived at Madhya Pradesh Assembly. All eyes are now on Speaker as he decides whether to hold floor test today
In case you are just joining us, it's a crucial day in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly. The Budget Session will begin at 11 am with the customary address by Governor. There is uncertainty on whether Speaker will conduct the floor test today. Chief Minister Kamal Nath, BJP MLAs and Congress MLAs are on their way to the Assembly.
Former minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s defection to the BJP has pushed the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh to the brink. But just a day after he joined the saffron party in Delhi and arrived in Bhopal to an enthusiastic welcome on March 12, two complaints of land grabbing filed against him nearly six years ago saw a fresh turn. Scindia camp said it was an obvious case of vendetta politics.
"Chief Minister has said that some of our MLAs have been kidnapped. PM Narendra Modi has discovered a model to kill the democracy - abduct, lure, manage MLAs&keep them in police custody,record&make their videos viral&then demand for floor test," Madhya Pradesh leader Jitu Patwari said, reported news agency ANI.
The ruling Congress government in the state says it is ready for floor test but the Assembly floor isn't complete. "We are ready to face the floor test but the Assembly floor is not complete. Sixteen of the Congress MLAs have been disappeared about which Chief Minister Kamal Nath has reported to Home Minister Amit Shah," said P C Sharma, Madhya Pradesh leader.
Rejecting the Congress's claim that BJP is forcibly keeping its MLAs in Bangaluru, the saffron party leader said any adult cannot be kept anywhere without his consent. All the MLAs are in Bengaluru due to their allegiance to a leader and interest of their leader is high on their mind, BJP vice-president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said, indicating all the deserted Congress MLAs belong to the Scindia camp in Congress.
"State govt is running away from facing the floor test but it can't be saved from collapsing as a good number of MLAs are against it. Govt has been defeated morally & the Chief Minister should resign on moral ground," Gopal Bhargav, Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh Assembly said.
In another jolt to Congress, four Gujarat Congress MLAs tendered their resignation to the Assembly Speaker on Saturday, triggering panic in the party ahead of the March 26 election to four Rajya Sabha seats from the state. One more MLA was reported to have gone “unreachable” since Sunday morning, leading to speculation that he too has joined the rebels. According to sources, the four MLAs who resigned are Soma Patel from Surendranagar, J V Kakadiya from Dhari, Mangal Gavit from Dang and Pradhyumansinh Jadeja from Abdasa.
Sensing trouble, the Congress had already started sending their MLAs to resorts in Jaipur. According to sources, as many as 41 Congress MLAs have been sent to Jaipur over Saturday and Sunday.
As suspense remained on whether a trust vote will be held or not on Monday, sources said both the parties were mulling legal recourse in case the proceedings do not go their way. The BJP has said that the “situation is under assessment." "We are awaiting the speaker’s decision. After assessing the situation we will take a decision at the appropriate time," the party told The Indian Express' Liz Mathew
Amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country, a senior Congress minister sought tests on his party MLAs who have returned from Jaipur as well as those currently ensconced in Haryana and Bengaluru. "The MLAs who have returned from Jaipur and also those who have gone to Haryana and Bengaluru should undergo coronavirus tests. It is important as the virus has spread in Jaipur and Haryana," MP public relations minister PC Sharma said.
He said the Assemblies of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, and Maharashtra had been adjourned due to the coronavirus outbreak and there was even a demand to adjourn the current session of Parliament.
Ahead of the budget session of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Congress and BJP MLAs arrived in Bhopal. Both the parties had shifted their MLAs outside the state in a bid to stop poaching attempts. The BJP MLAs where in Gurugram, while the Congress MLAs were shifted to Jaipur
In a late night letter to Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Saturday, Governor Lalji Tandon had said that prima facie he was convinced that the Congress government was in minority and to “protect democratic principles’’, Nath must win the trust of the House immediately after the Governor’s address on Monday. “The proceedings will begin on Monday and in every circumstance will not be cancelled, delayed or suspended,’’ the Governor said while asking that voting should be by division, not by a voice vote, and must be recorded by engaging an independent videographer. In his letter on Sunday, Tandon issued new directives saying the voting during the trust vote should be taken up only through raising of hands and that no other method should be adopted.
"The Madhya Pradesh government has lost its majority. That is why they are running away from it. We will ask the government to bring a confidence motion. The Chief Minister has said he wants a floor test. Then why is he not doing it? Our only demand is a floor test," BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, reported news agency ANI
Both BJP and Congress have issued whips to all its MLAs to remain present in the House during the Assembly session that begins on Monday, and vote in favour of their respective parties during the trust vote.
Amid the suspense over floor test, the Opposition BJP said the Speaker will have to follow Governor Tandon's orders and that they will raise the issue in the House today. 'Governor had ordered floor test in the state assembly after his address but test is not mentioned in assembly's list of business for tomorrow. We will raise this issue, Speaker will have to follow Governor's orders,' Gopal Bhargava, Madhya Pradesh Leader of Opposition said, reported news agency ANI
Speaker N P Prajapati on Sunday, however, dubbed as “hypothetical” a question on whether the trust vote would take place on Monday, and added he would reveal only on Monday if the Governor has the power to order a floor test. “I am more concerned about the spread of coronavirus,’’ he said, after asserting, “Kalpanik sawal hai, trust vote hoga ki nahi (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.’’
After the six resignations were accepted, the strength of the 230-member House has come down to 222 after accounting for two vacancies caused by death. The BJP has 107 members and the Congress 108. Both parties have issued whips to their members. The Samajwadi Party has asked its lone member to vote for the Congress. There are four Independents and two BSP MLAs.
In the week-long political drama in Madhya Pradesh, 'resort politics' was back in the news as both the Congress and the BJP shifted their MLAs to resorts outside the state due to fears of poaching. While the Congress MLAs returned on Sunday from Jaipur, the BJP too was bringing back its legislators from Haryana to attend the first day of the session on Monday. Here's what the term 'resort politics' means
Welcome to The Indian Express live blog on Madhya Pradesh floor test. The fate of Kamal Nath-led Congress govt is hung in balance as there is no clarity on whether the Madhya Pradesh floor test will take place today. Follow this space as we track the latest developments