Kamal Nath Government's Fate To Be Sealed Tomorrow As Supreme Court Orders Floor Test In Madhya Pradesh Assembly

What can termed as a major set for Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, the Supreme Court on Thursday said that the floor test of the state government will be held tomorrow in the assembly. In response to a BJP petition that wanted an immediate resolution of the issue, the top court further added that the floor test should be completed by 5 pm. A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud also ordered video recording and possible live streaming of the Assembly proceedings when the Kamal Nath led Congress government would undertake the floor test.

The bench, also comprising Justice Hemant Gupta, directed the police chiefs of Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka to provide security to the 16 rebel Congress MLAs if they choose to appear in Assembly for trust vote. The bench also ordered that the Assembly will have a single point agenda of the floor test and no hindrance is to be created for anyone. It asked the state Assembly Secretary to ensure that there is no breach of law and order.

Also Read | MP Trust Vote: Heavens Won't Fall If Kamal Nath Govt Continues, Says Congress In Supreme Court

Reacting to the development, former Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "We welcome the Supreme Court's decision of floor test. This govt is not just a govt which has lost the majority but this is a Govt of brokers which has cheated the people of Madhya Pradesh. This Government will lose the floor test tomorrow."

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court sought a response from the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh by Wednesday on plea of former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan seeking a direction to conduct an immediate floor test on the floor of the assembly.

A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud said that it will issue the notice to the state government and others, including the secretary of the legislative assembly, for tomorrow at 10.30 am.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh Crisis: Digvijaya Singh Detained In Bengaluru After Failed Attempt to Meet Congress Rebels

Chouhan and nine other BJP lawmakers, including the leader of opposition in the state assembly, moved the Supreme Court on Monday just after Speaker N P Prajapati cited coronavirus concerns and adjourned the house till March 26 without taking the floor test, apparently defying the directions of Governor Lalji Tandon.

RELATED