MP Cong pitches for probe into resignation of rebel MLAs before SC

The Madhya Pradesh Congress on Wednesday (March 18) told the Supreme Court that a probe is needed on the resignation letters of its rebel MLAs submitted by BJP leaders to the Speaker of the state Assembly.

Earlier in the day Congress leader Digvijay Singh was taken into preventive custody after he sat on a dharna outside the hotel where the rebel MLAs are staying in Karnataka.

Also read: Congress moves SC seeking access to rebel MLAs in Bengaluru

The Congress on Wednesday alleged before a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Hemant Gupta that resignations of its rebel MLAs in Madhya Pradesh were extracted by force and coercion and they did not act as per their free will.

Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for the Congress, said its rebel MLAs were taken away in chartered flights and are currently incommunicado in a resort arranged by the BJP.

Dave also said the governor has no business to send messages at night asking the chief minister or speaker to hold floor test.

“The speaker is the ultimate master and the Madhya Pradesh governor is overriding him,” Dave said.

Also read: I praise your impartial, courageous decision: MP governor to speaker

The hearing comes a day after 16 rebel Congress MLAs, whose resignations is yet to be accepted by the Madhya Pradesh speaker, told media that they were ill-treated and ignored by Kamal Nath. Six ministers, who were recently sacked from the cabinet also said that Kamal Nath limited himself to his constituency of Chhindwara and didn’t make any contribution towards their constituencies.

Kamal Nath, on his part has rubbished these allegations and has asked the rebel MLAs to return.

(With inputs from agencies)