Bhopal: The much-awaited floor test of the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh will take place at 2 pm Friday, the state assembly secretariat has noted in its business agenda for the day released late Thursday night.
In another late night development, after the Supreme Court ordered a floor test Thursday, Madhya Pradesh Speaker Narmada Prasad Prajapati accepted the resignations of the 16 rebel Congress MLAs, bringing down the total strength of the assembly to 206.
The ruling Congress now has 92 MLAs, including the Speaker. It also has the support of seven other legislators — one SP, two BSP and four independent MLAs. The government’s number rises to 99 but that is still five short of the simple majority mark of 104 seats.
On the other hand, the BJP with 107 MLAs is three above the simple majority.
At a press conference late Thursday, Speaker Prajapati refused to provide clarity on the reconvening of the Vidhan Sabha session. “You’ll get to see on Friday,” he said.
Around 1.30 am, however, the assembly secretariat issued the business agenda for Friday, noting that the floor test will be conducted as directed by the Supreme Court.
“Resignation of the 16 MLAs who have filed a petition in the Supreme Court has been accepted by me,” Prajapati had, however, told reporters.
Both the Congress and the BJP Thursday issued whips to their legislators to be present in the House Friday and vote according to party lines.
CM to address press conference at noon
Chief Minister Kamal Nath will address a press conference at noon at the CM House Friday. While there is speculation that the chief minister may resign during the press conference, senior Congress leaders dismissed the claims.
Nath has been defiant, stressing on the fact that all the Congress MLAs are united. He had said the Congress would explore legal options even on Friday.
Nath’s government has been on the brink ever since 22 Congress MLAs, including six ministers, tendered their resignations earlier this month following the defection of senior leader Jyotiraditya Scindia to the BJP.
While the resignations of the ministers were accepted, those of the remaining 16 MLAs, who are lodged at the Ramada Hotel in Bengaluru, had remained pending until Thursday.
Leader of the opposition Gopal Bhargav said the rebel MLAs from the Scindia camp were welcome to join the BJP. “If the 22 MLAs decide to join the BJP, they will be given complete respect. We welcome the decision of the SC. The BJP will decide who will be the legislative party leader,” he said.
The MP assembly has 230 seats, but two fell vacant following the death of the incumbents. Before the current political crisis in the state, the Congress had 114 MLAs and the BJP 107.
Also read: Scindia was in talks with BJP for long, Rajya Sabha seat not reason to quit, says Shivraj
Whether the CM resigns or loses the vote of confidence is now a matter of semantics. There is no moral high ground left.