MP Speaker Asks Rebel Cong MLAs to Clarify Resignation by Friday

The Congress Madhya Pradesh government was thrown into disorder when 22 MLAs put in their resignations.

The Congress government in Madhya Pradesh was thrown into disorder when 22 MLAs put in their resignations.

(Photo: Twitter/@INCMP)

Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker NP Prajapati issued notices to the 22 Congress MLAs who have resigned, asking them to appear before him by Friday, 13 March, and clarify whether they have quit voluntarily or under pressure, a legislature official said on Thursday, PTI reported.

The BJP, meanwhile, has said it will seek a floor test in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly on 16 March, while the Congress said it is ready to face the test only after a decision is made on the resignations of the 22 MLAs.

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said Speaker Prajapati has issued notices to the 22 MLAs, including six ministers, who have resigned. Singh also sought to know why the MLAs were not meeting the Assembly speaker to submit their resignations.

Prajapati had said on Wednesday that he would follow due procedure, examine evidence, and only then decide on the matter of the resignation of the rebel Congress MLAs.

Will Decide As Per Case’s Merits: Speaker

The Congress Madhya Pradesh government was thrown into disorder when at least 22 MLAs put in their resignations on Tuesday, following Jyotiraditya Scindia's exit from the party.

"As per law, those resigning will have to first appear before the Speaker personally, after which only I'll look into available evidences/facts before deciding as per merits of the case," Prajapati told reporters on Wednesday, according to NDTV.

The Speaker has asked the 22 MLAs to appear before him by Friday to clarify whether they have resigned voluntarily or under any pressure, State Assembly principal secretary A P Singh said, as per PTI reports.

MP Government Puts on a Brave Face

"Since the government is in minority, we are going to request the governor and the Assembly speaker for a floor test on March 16 when the state budget session begins," BJP's chief whip in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Narottam Mishra told reporters as per PTI.

The Kamal Nath-led Madhya Pradesh government has been trying to keep up a brave face and assert that their strength has not weakened. The official Twitter account of the MP Congress wrote that they still had full majority, and would prove the same in the state legislature.

“BJP’s ‘divide-and-rule’ conspiracy will never succeed. All our MLAs understand their accountability, duty and morality towards the people of the state,” the INC-MP handle also tweeted.

The assertion of strength comes even as the foundation crumbles – senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia joined the BJP on Wednesday, a day after leaving the Congress. He was immediately announced as BJP’s Rajya Sabha candidate from Madhya Pradesh.