MP crisis: Speaker accepts resignations of six former ministers
In a major development, Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker NP Prajapati on Saturday accepted the resignations of six former state ministers. These MLAs were sacked from the cabinet after they, along with 16 other legislators, resigned in support of Jyotiraditya Scindia who left the Congress and joined the BJP.
In a major development, Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker NP Prajapati on Saturday (March 14) accepted the resignations of six rebel MLAs, who were ministers in the Kamal Nath-led Congress government.
These MLAs were sacked from the cabinet after they, along with 16 other legislators, resigned in support of Jyotiraditya Scindia who left the Congress and joined the BJP.
“I have accepted the resignations of Imarati Devi, Tulsi Silawat, Govind Singh Rajput, Mahendra Singh Sisodiya, Pradyumn Singh Tomar and Prabhuram Chaudhari,” Speaker Prajapti told reporters on Saturday.
Related news: Six ministers who resigned fail to show up for meeting with MP Speaker
“I had given them time to appear in person on Friday and Saturday after their resignations came in for verification. But they did not turn up,” he added.
With the Speaker’s decision and two seats being vacant, the effective strength of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly is now 222.
The rebel MLAs, meanwhile, have written to Governor Lalji Tandon and demanded security, Raj Bhavan sources said on Saturday. They sent email to Tandon, saying they were unable to return to Bhopal due to security concerns, sources added.
The MLAs reached Benguluru airport on Friday for flying back to Madhya Pradesh, but dropped the plan at the last minute following a security scare at Bhopal where a large number of Congres and BJP workers clashed.
Related news: ‘Chouhan and me…’: Scindia lauds BJP leader after switching party
The rebel MLAs sent the letter to the governor on Friday, demanding security. Following which, the newly-appointed state Director General of Police Vivek Johri visited the Raj Bhavan, giving rise to speculation that he was summoned by Tandon to discuss the issue.
Meanwhile, with the Congress government on the verge of collapse, state minister PC Sharma on Saturday performed a ‘havan’ (fire ritual) at the famous Baglamukhi Temple in Agar Malwa district. The temple is known for ‘tantrik’ (occult) rituals and people often carry out ‘havan’ for wish fulfilment.
Congress MLAs from the state, currently sequestered in Jaipur in neighbouring Rajasthan, also prayed at temples, including the famous Khatushyam Temple, as per news channels.
(With inputs from agencies)
