Bengaluru: The 22 Madhya Pradesh legislators camping in Bengaluru since 9 March have now said they will leave the resort they’re staying at only if Governor Lalji Tandon provides them with adequate security.
The rebel legislators met journalists at the resort to convey that they are not being held hostage, nor have their phones been taken away. However, they said one of their major fears is that the Kamal Nath government could perpetrate attacks on them if they set foot in MP’s capital Bhopal because of their decision to withdraw support.
The MLAs also emphasised that they stand strong behind “their leader” Jyotiraditya Scindia, who quit the Congress last week to join the BJP.
The BJP had filed an FIR about Scindia’s motorcade being blocked and attacked by unidentified persons Friday night. The next day, 14 March, the MLAs wrote a letter to MP Governor Tandon, seeking the protection of central security forces.
“Our leader Jyotiraditya Scindia was attacked, and we also fear there could be a similar attack on us. We demand that we are given proper security, only then we will decide to return to Bhopal,” said Dimani MLA Girraj Dandotiya.
Also read: On brink of collapse, Kamal Nath govt ‘targets’ BJP MLAs with raids, notices, demolition
Timeline of the rebellion
Initially, three legislators rebelling against Kamal Nath’s Congress government flew to Bengaluru and were housed at a private villa in the Whitefield area. However, one Independent MLA later returned to Bhopal.
As the rebellion grew stronger, 20 more legislators flew into the city on 9 March, taking the number of rebels to 22. They camped at a sprawling 275-acre golf resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
On 13 March, they were to fly back to Bhopal, but after meeting BJP chief J.P. Nadda at the Bengaluru airport, they returned, citing the “threat to their lives”. This was just hours after the alleged attempt to attack Scindia.
Soon, the rebels shifted to a five-star hotel in Yelahanka in Bengaluru. Police sources told ThePrint that the legislators had not left the premises, but a team of doctors had visited them to check for symptoms of coronavirus.
Imarti Devi claimed that the MLAs have pooled in their own money to stay at the Yelahanka hotel.
“We all are spending from our own pockets. We are here because we fear somebody may attack us. We want to go back to our constituencies and tell the people why we resigned. But we are forced to be here until we get assurance that we will be provided security by the central forces,” she said.
The MLAs were also seen playing cricket Tuesday, indicating that they do not plan to leave until they are assured of security.
Also read: Rivals Digvijaya, Kamal Nath joined hands to edge Scindia out, now striving to save MP govt
Grievances with Kamal Nath
Imarti Devi, a minister who has joined the rebel group, expressed the anguish of the MLAs at Kamal Nath’s governance, telling the journalists that the CM seems to have time to meet “dalaals” (brokers) and corrupt people, but not his own ministers and MLAs.
“We had given our voters a promise that we will develop our constituencies. Since your government was formed, we have not been given funds. I had told my voters that until I build a dam in the area, I will not fight another election. But without funds, how can I do anything? What do I tell my voters?” she asked.
Govind Singh, another rebel minister, said: “We are very upset with the way Kamal Nath has been running his government. He has insulted our leader Jyotiraditya Scindia and we will not accept that. We have resigned from the Vidhan Sabha and are yet to take a call on joining the BJP.”
Badnawar MLA Rajvardhan Singh added: “Kamal Nath is a leader who will not even listen to Rahul Gandhi. He is being autocratic. He has been running the government without seeking our cooperation.”
Also read: MP assembly trust vote deferred: Will it save Kamal Nath govt or delay the inevitable?
(This report has been updated with the MLAs’ claim that they’re paying for their own hotel stay)
true, Kamal nath is a seasoned murderer who murdered 3000 Sikhs without moving a single wrinkle on his face can do anything with his group of cngress goons