Ahead Of Madhya Pradesh Floor Test, BJP MLA Sharad KoI Resigns, House Strength At 205

The impending Supreme Court-mandated floor test in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly is turning out in a nail-biter. Amid the strong buzz of Kamal Nath's resignation, BJP MLA Sharad KoI announced that he is quitting the Assembly. His resignation has been accepted by Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker NP Prajapati. This is not the first time that KoI has dumped his party during the crucial floor test. In 2019, KoI along with Narayan Tripathi had resigned in a similar manner. Confirming the development, Speaker Prajapati said that, 'I had accepted 16 resignations last night. Now I have also accepted resignation of Sharad Kol (BJP MLA). He had earlier said that he was forcefully made to resign but after looking at his documents and that he didn't meet me personally, it didn't seem like that.'

Soon after resignation, Sharad KoI released a video message in which he lauded the Kamal Nath government. “I want to thank the Chief Minister because people are happy in the state because of his development works,” he added. Hailing the new bill system for power supply, KoI said that, 'These bills are giving benefits to the SC/ST and OBCs and also to general people equally. Earlier the bills which are paid to Rs 500 to 1000, now they are paying only Rs Meanwhile, Congress leaders sounded confident ahead of the trust vote, which is scheduled to take place around 5 pm today. Slamming the BJP, Madhya Pradesh Minister PC Sharma said that, This time they (BJP) didn't do horse-trading, they indulged in elephant trading. We'll prove the majority. We have 'Formula 5' with us.'

The Supreme Court on Thursday said that the floor test of the state government will be held on Friday 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.