Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath is doing everything in his power to delay the inevitable even if it means making a mockery of democracy as he lives his last days as the Chief Minister of MP. It seems that the Supreme Court has had enough of Nath’s antics and has stated that the floor test be held soon so as to prevent horse trading. This development will finally end the political crisis in the state and will pave way for a BJP government in MP, as clearly, the Kamal Nath government doesn’t have the numbers.
Earlier today, the Supreme Court began hearing on the plea of ex-MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan seeking an immediate floor test in the MP assembly. Justice Chandrachud while hearing the petition said, “We don’t want to encourage horse-trading. That’s why we want the floor test soon. This is why the court has been proactive in ordering the floor tests. The idea is to force the hands and make sure the floor test happens as soon as possible and prevent such things.”
The Supreme Court has been extremely proactive when it comes to conducting floor tests with case in point being Karnataka and Maharashtra. It seems that the SC is in no mood to let Kamal Nath government be an exception. If a floor test is held, the Kamal Nath government will cease to exist as due to Jyotiraditya Scindia’s switch to the BJP, 22 Congress MLAs have rebelled against their own government. While the Speaker accepted the resignations of 6 ministers, he is refusing to accept the resignations of 16 MLAs thus plunging the state into crisis.
The SC said Speaker cannot sit on resignations to stall floor test and stated that the court wants a quick resolution of political crisis.
The Congress has resorted to desperate measures as the Speaker has asked the Supreme Court to give him two weeks time to deliberate whether to accept the resignations of the MLAs or not. Shivraj Singh Chouhan questioned the need for two weeks as he remarked, “Why do they want more time? For engaging in horse-trading? Now they know that they do not have the numbers. It’s an excuse to get some more transfers done.” It is important to note that Kamal Nath has gone on a transfer spree as he senses the imminent collapse of his government.
The party also questioned if the Governor can direct the Speaker to conduct a floor test. The Supreme Court responded that if House is not in session and if government loses majority then Governor has power to direct Speaker to hold trust vote.
The Congress party’s desperation has hit new heights as it has sent Digvijaya Singh to meet and pressurise the MLAs in Bengaluru even though the MLAs didn’t want to meet him. Kamal Nath has also stated that he is ready to go to Bengaluru if needed. When Singh was stopped by the Karnataka Police from meeting the rebel MLAs, Singh filed a plea in the Karnataka HC however, the court has refused to pass any order on Singh’s plea.
The Congress is looking to defer the floor test until the by polls of the two vacant seats after the death of two legislators. “Heavens are not going to fall if Congress government is allowed to continue till by-polls and the Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s government must not be saddled on the people,” said senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for the Congress.
The Speaker has refused to co-operate as even the option of the Speaker meeting the rebel MLAs through a video conference has been shot down by Speaker Prajapati.
The Congress can try its might to delay the inevitable but its seems that the end is near for the Kamal Nath government.