Bhopal: In a sort of Karnataka episode retaliation, the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh assembly not only proved its majority in dramatic manner on Wednesday, but also earned support of two BJP MLAs who voted in favour of Kamal Nath government during division of votes. Early in the day, Leader of Opposition had warned Congress govt that they could topple Kamal Nath government in 24 hours if no; 1 or no; 2 in their party instruct them. Nath had dared him to bring in no trust motion.
The proceedings continued in the House as usual till late afternoon when Law minister PC Sharma proposed Criminal Procedure Act and the BJP meticulously announced to back the amendment. However, BSP MLA Sanjiv Singh Sanju who is supporting the Kamal Nath government demanded vote division repeatedly.
Leader of the Opposition Gopal Bhargav and ex-Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan objected to vote division saying that was the need of it when the opposition was backing the amendment.
Meanwhile, reacting to the repeated demand by BSP MLA, Speaker NP Prajapati announced the vote division. As Congress MLAs went out to cast their vote, the BJP MLAs stayed put in the House. Later, the speaker claimed that 122 MLAs voted in favour of the amendment while no one voted against it.
Parliamentary Affairs minister Govind Singh stood up and said two BJP MLAs have voted in favour of Kamal Nath government. On Singh’s proposal, the speaker announced to adjourn the assembly sine die. In between, Leader of the Opposition Bhargav then objected to the result saying several MLAs have voted twice and 12 fake signatures were offered for the MLAs absent. Bhargav demanded to verify signatures at Governor House but CM Nath again stepped in saying why not verify them now.
But the speaker cut short the arguments announcing recital of national anthem. Outside the assembly, Law minister PC Sharma announced that BJP MLA from Beohari Sharad Kol and Maihar BJP MLA Narayan Tripathi has voted in Kamal Nath government’s favour. “We proved that our government was strong and many more BJP MLAs are in touch with CM Kamal Nath.”