The Supreme Court Monday agreed to hear the plea by former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan seeking a direction to the Kamal Nath-led Congress government to undertake floor test in the Assembly to prove its majority as directed by the state Governor.

The plea, mentioned before the mentioning officer of the apex court for urgent hearing said the Speaker, the Chief Minister and the Principal Secretary of the Assembly be directed to “hold the floor test in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly within 12 hours of the passing of the order by this court and as directions issued by Governor.

Besides Chouhan, nine other BJP MLAs, including Gopal Bhargava and Narottam Mishra, are the four petitioners in the case in which the state assembly Speaker and Nath are made party respondents.

While petition will be heard today Governor Lalji Tondon has asked the Chief Minister to hold the floor test on Tuesday. Referring to Governor’s direction Chief Minister said “Why should I go for floor test? There is a provision that the Opposition can ask for no-confidence motion. Let them do the floor test if they want. They (BJP) asked for a no-confidence motion today. And what about the 16 MLAs who have been confined by the BJP? Let them come before the media and the house.” The CM reiterated that his government is in majority.

The action packed day began with the assembly convening at 11 am. The Coronavirus divide was clear. Most Congress MLAs – including CM Nath – were seen wearing mask. BJP legislators didn’t.

Soon after the Governor’ two-minute address, perhaps the briefest ever in MP, Tondon gave a message to the House: “I want to give legislators some advice. With the present situation in the state, peacefully and with dedication, ensure that the rules of the Constitution and democratic tradition of MP are upheld and protected.”

It is not for the first time that Madhya Pradesh has faced such complicated political situation. In 1967 after the general election D. P. Mishra became chief minister for the second time. But in the month of July, 36 Congress MLAs defected from the party. At that time defection was instigated by Rajmata Vijya Raje Scindia. The government failed to muster majority on the grant for education department and had to quit the office. The government formed with the support of defectors could not last for even two years. All the defected MLAs came back to the Congress.

The Chief Minister while refusing to act on Governor’s instruction also questioned his authority to direct the Speaker about the conduct of house business. Chief Minister also pointed out that how floor test can be held when 22 MLAs are being forcibly kept in Bengaluru. Let BJP and Scindia set them free and allow them to reach Bhopal today. Today these MLAS held a press conference in Bengaluru and said that we are prepared to reach Bhopal if we are assured security. “When Scindia can be attacked in Bhopal how safe we are”.

After adjournment all the BJP MLAs have been kept in a hotel in Sehore, a small town near Bhopal. Originally they were to be taken back to Haryana but suddenly plan was changed and they were sent to Sehore.

Meanwhile, reporters of a leading newspaper visited the constituencies of legislators who are in Bengaluru and sought voters’ opinion about the conduct of those whom they elected in November 2018. In the majority of defecting legislators’ constituencies ordinary voters are not happy with the decision of their representatives. Some of them thought that it is a betrayal. “We elected them because they were with the Congress. Now they have changed the party. It is clear that they will face hostility of electorates when they come back,” many voters said. (IPA Service)