MP Cong dy leader scuttles no-trust motion,joins BJP

In Madhya Pradesh Assembly,a no-confidence motion that was supposed to put the ruling BJP in the dock has backfired on the opposition Congress.

In Madhya Pradesh Assembly,a no-confidence motion that was supposed to put the ruling BJP in the dock has backfired on the opposition Congress. Its deputy leader and Bhind MLA,Chaudhary Rakesh Singh Chaturvedi,not only scuttled the motion but also joined the BJP.

As soon as Leader of the Opposition Ajay Singh rose to read the motion,Chaturvedi interrupted. He alleged that the pro-Hindu issue he wanted to raise has not been included in the motion and that he was hurt by AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singhs tweet on the sodomy case.

Even the BJP MLAs were stunned by Chaturvedis outburst. But slowly the import of his rebellion sank in. Soon the BJP MLAs were on their feet and Legislative Affairs Minister Norottam Mishra said the no-confidence motion has become infructuous. The Opposition partys deputy leader has expressed no-confidence in the motion,Mishra said.

But Congress MLAs persisted with their demand for a debate on the motion. Ajay Singh made his party MLAs stand up and argued,What if one person is opposed to it? The entire legislature party is for it. When the BJP cited rules,an agitated Singh,pointing to Chaturvedi sitting behind him,said,Dont talk of rule books,talk of suitcase.

When Speaker Ishwardas Rohani adjourned the House for 30 minutes,Congress MLAs huddled to discuss the fallout even as Chaturvedi sat alone poring over documents. In the gallery were present several top BJP leaders including Uma Bharti and former Union minister Suresh Pachaury. Both are considered close to Chaturvedi.

The Speaker later adjourned the Assembly sine die,ending the session. Later,Chaturvedi formally joined the BJP at the party headquarters. In the House,he had said he wanted the Congress to include the issue of missing Hindus in Uttarakhand and the alleged misuse of office by former finance minister Raghavji. He was also angry with Digvijaya Singhs tweet Baccha baccha Ram Ka Raghavji ke kam ka as it denigrated the Hindus.

The Congress called Chaturvedi a traitor. Ajay Singh said Chaturvedi never discussed the issues at the legislature party meeting. The motion was accepted by the Assembly but to reject it on the basis of a sold member shows that the BJP and Chouhan dont believe in democracy, he said.

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PCC Chief Kantilal Bhuria called the Speakers decision to end the session undemocratic. He said the BJP had sullied democracy by purchasing the deputy opposition leader. Meanwhile,Digvijaya Singh described the events as BJPs conspiracy.

The party now plans to organise a session on Friday to read out the charges against the BJP in the no-confidence motion.

While Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said Chaturvedi has staked his political career for his ideology,Chaturvedi called Chouhan a successful CM and said he would devote his entire life to the BJP.