The political drama in Madhya Pradesh is all set to shift to the Assembly after the GovernorGovernor directed Chief Minister Kamal Nath to seek a trust vote today, and Speaker NP Prajapati said he would first give a ruling on whether to hold the floor test.
As the rebellion led by Jyotiraditya Scindia threatened the survival of its government, Congress appeared keen on putting off the trust vote. It asserted that it is the Speaker’s to decide about the proceedings of the House, but BJP maintained that the Governor’sGovernor’s direction bound him.
After the Speaker accepted the resignation of six Congress MLAs on Saturday, the party now has 108 legislators. These include 16 rebel legislators who have also put in their papers, but their resignations are yet to be accepted.
The BJP has 107 seats in the House, which now has an effective strength of 222, with the majority mark being 112. To add to the ruling Congress’ woes, it is yet uncertain whether it will continue getting the support of four Independents, two BSP MLAs and one MLA from the SP.
Referring to resignations of 22 Congress MLAs, the Governor said: “Based on the above facts, prima facie, that government has lost the confidence of the House, and it is in the minority. The Governor also directed that a division of votes hold the trust vote, and the process is recorded on video by the Vidhan Sabha through independent persons. He said it “must be completed under any circumstances on March 16, 2020, and it should not be adjourned, delayed or suspended”.
The Speaker adjourned the Assembly till March 26, but the BJP later asked the Supreme Court to order a floor test. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath now has more time to try and save his government. The Speaker of the state assembly has adjourned proceedings till March 26 — more than a week from now. That’s because the BJP has now asked the Supreme Court to order a floor test.