Madhya Pradesh governor passes order, asks CM to seek trust vote on Monday
Bhopal : Madhya Pradesh governor Lalji Tandon on Saturday night passed an order, directing CM Kamal Nath to seek a trust vote in the assembly on Monday, 22 days after Congress MLAs resigned. One of the prominent leader Jyotiraditya Scindia joined Bharatiya Janata Party.
"I came to know that 22 MLAs have sent their resignations to the MP Assembly speaker and they have also informed about it on electronic and print media. I have seen the coverage on both media with attention," the letter, dated March 14, said.
"They have also sent the letter to me separately on March 10, 2020, and the same MLAs have requested for security to present these resignation letters to the Vidhan Sabha speaker on March 13," the governor said.
"Under Article 174 and 175(2) of the Constitution, I am empowered to direct that the MP Assembly session will begin on March 16 at 11 am with my address. Soon after that, the only work to be done is voting on trust vote," he said in the letter.
He also mentioned that the trust vote will be recorded on video by the Vidhan Sabha through independent persons.
On Friday, Kamal Nath had met Governor Tandon at the Raj Bhavan requesting a floor test in the session beginning Monday.
In his letter, the CM alleged horse-trading of MLAs by the BJP and requested the governor to ensure 'release of MLAs held in captivity in Bengaluru'.
"You (Nath) have also mentioned in your letter dated March 13, 2020, that you are ready for the floor test. I have also received a letter from the main opposition BJP about these situations. They have also pointed out that the state government is putting unnecessary pressure on the MLAs who have resigned and also on other legislators,” the letter read.
"Based on the above facts, prima facie, I believe that your government has lost the confidence of the House and it is in minority. This is a very serious issue and therefore as per the constitutional provisions and for protecting the democratic values, it is necessary that on March 16, soon after my address, you seek the trust vote in the Assembly," it added.