Bhopal: Amidst reports that 19 MLAs primarily of Jyotiraditya Scindia camp could arrive at Bhopal airport on Friday, section 144 of the CrPC was imposed in the Airport area. However, a number of BJP and Congress activists had reached there. Taking storng objection to the gatherings, the police even as governor Lalji Tandon sacked half a dozen ministers on the recommendation of Kamal Nath government.
Early in the day, it was rumoured that Congress MLAs present in Bengaluru could land at Raja Bhoj airport in a chartered plane. Soon after BJP leaders and workers arrived at the airport with two buses meant ostensibly to take the MLAs away with them. Heavy police force was also deployed at the airport.
Soon Congress leaders and workers in large numbers gathered at the airport and had heated arguments with the BJP leaders and police as well. As the police saw the scuffle heating up, the district administration invoked section 144 of CrPC at the airport and BJP cadre was forced away from the scene. Fresh deployment also was sent to airport.
In between some Congress MLAs also were spotted at Bengaluru airport. However, as the drama continued at Raja Bhoj airport for hours, it eventually emerged that MLAs were not coming to Bhopal on Friday. In between Congress workers armed with black balloons and flags in large numbers had gathered to protest the attitude of missing MLAs on various places across the city.
Meanwhile the assembly speaker NP Prajapati who had served notices to six MLAs to present themselves before him to endorse their resignations left the assembly after waiting for the ‘elusive’ lawmakers for three hours.
“I waited for the MLAs for three hours and I would be meeting those whom I have offered appointment on Saturday,” Prajapati told the media. On being asked when he would meet MLAs he summoned on Friday, the speaker said he would offer a fresh date to them.
Meanwhile the senior BJP leaders including Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Jyotiraditya Scindia and union minister Narendra Singh Tomar called on the governor Lalji Tandon and had discussions on the political scenario in the state.
During the day, the governor sacked six ministers—Imarti Devi, Govind Singh Rajput, Pradyumn Singh Tomar, Tulsi Silawat, Prabhuram Chaudhary and Mahendra Singh Sisodia on the recommendation of Kamal Nath cabinet. All of them owe allegiance to Jyotiraditya Scindia.
