Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon expels 6 Ministers

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon on Friday expelled six ministers — Imarti Devi, Tulsi Silawat, Govind Singh Rajput, Mahendra Singh Sisodia, Pardyuman Singh Tomar and Prabhuram Chaudhary — from the Cabinet on the recommendation of Chief Minister Kamal Nath.

Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress MLAs gathered at Raja Bhoj airport in Bhopal after they got to know that MLAs supporting Jyotiraditya Scindia were returning from Bengaluru.

Expressing the readiness of his government for a floor test in the Assembly, MP Chief Minister Kamal Nath accused the BJP of holding 22 Congress MLAs in captivity.

Nath said he will welcome a floor test in the assembly, whose budget session is beginning from March 16, on a date fixed by the speaker.

The chief minister made the statement after calling on Governor Lalji Tandon here, his first meeting since rebellion by a section of Congress MLAs three days ago which pushed his government into crisis.

He also submitted to the governor a three-page letter in which he accused the BJP of being involved in horse- trading and holding the rebel Congress MLAs in captivity.

The Opposition BJP has consistently denied the Congress charge of poaching MLAs to topple its government. The CM-governor meeting at Raj Bhavan, which began around 11 am, lasted for around half an hour.

I wished Governor on the occasion of Holi. Our 22 MLAs are being held captive. I have submitted a letter to him alleging horse-trading by the BJP. "I have demanded that these MLAs be released immediately.

Floor test can be held anytime, Nath told reporters after meeting Tandon. Naths letter said, As a responsible leader of Indian National Congress, I invite and would welcome a floor test of my government in the forthcoming session of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly already notified from March 16, 2020, on a date fixed by the Speaker.

"This is the minimum a constitutional authority can offer to address the ongoing turmoil." Nath sought the governor's intervention for release of the captive Congress MLAs.

We request your excellency may use your good office as constitutional Head of the state with the Union Home Minister to ensure the release of MLAs held captive in Bengaluru."