MP crisis: Governor removes six Scindia-camp ministers, CM says ready for floor test

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Friday met state Governor Lalji Tandon over the political crisis in the state triggered by the resignation of 22 rebel Congress MLAs three days ago. Accusing the BJP of horse-trading and holding 22 Congress MLAs in captivity, Nath requested the Governor for floor test. He met the governor at around 11 am and submitted the three-page letter to him.

In a letter handed over to the governor, Nath mentioned the sequence of events from the intervening night of March 3 and March 4 to March 10, and claimed there were incidents of horse-trading during this period. "The BJP on March 8 arranged three Charted aircraft to whisk away 19 MLAs of the Congress party to Bengaluru. Since then 19 of them are incommunicado in a resort arranged by BJP," Nath said.

"In these disturbing circumstances, the very edifice of democracy is in danger. Trust of a transparent democratic process seems lost. It merits full investigation and enquiry, so that persons responsible for de-railing the democratic institutional process are exposed and punished," he added.

Six rebel ministers removed from cabinet

Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon also removed six ministers, all supporters of Jyotiraditya Scindia, on the recommendation of Chief Minister Kamal Nath.

Among those removed include Women and Child Development Minister Imarti Devi, School Education Minister Prabhuram Chaudhary, Transport Minister Govind Singh Rajput, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Pradymna Singh Tomar, Health Minister Tulsi Silawat and Labour Minister Mahendra Sisodia.

Nath had earlier said that he is confident that the Congress will win the floor test.

"I am confident that the Congress will win the floor test in the Assembly after it convenes as scheduled on March 15. You will see that we will be able to prove our majority in the Assembly," he told The Indian Express on Wednesday morning on the telephone from Bhopal.

In the 230 member House, the Congress has 114 MLAs and the support of four Independents, one Samajwadi Party MLAs and two Bahujan Samaj Party MLAs. The BJP has 109 MLAs. Two seats are vacant.

(Inputs and image from theindianexpress.com)