BJP wants Congress government in Madhya Pradesh to prove majority

Political activity heated up in Madhya Pradesh ahead of the results of the Lok Sabha election, with the opposition BJP having written to governor Anandiben Patel, asking her to convene a special session of the Assembly “to discuss important issues like farm loan waiver” and through that, to “test” the Congress-led government’s strength.

“I am writing a letter to the Governor for convening a special session of M.P. Assembly shortly. We want a discussion on important issues like the farm loan waiver and (to) test the government strength,” said Leader of the Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Gopal Bhargava.

“Instead of debating issues in the House, [the government] was dumping papers at former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s residence, claiming that loans of 21 lakh farmers in Madhya Pradesh have been waived, skirting a debate on important issues,” Mr. Bhargava said.

He added that during the discussion on financial matters, the BJP would be asking for a division of votes in the House, to determine the Congress’ support.

“We have not drawn up a strategy for the floor test of the government,” he said.

Kamal Nath confident

Chief Minister Kamal Nath, meanwhile, said his government was stable and sure of its numbers.

“They (BJP) have been trying this since day one. I have proved my majority at least four times in the last five months. They want to do it again, we have no problem. They will try their best to disturb the present government to save themselves from getting exposed. The government is ready for a floor test,” he said.

The BJP’s Madhya Pradesh-in-charge at the national level Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, while refusing to comment on the letter by Mr. Bharagava, said the “Congress government in Madhya Pradesh will collapse under the weight of its own contradictions.”

He did not disclose whether the party was in touch with the two Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLAs and the lone Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA, who are supporting the current government.

In the 230-member Assembly, the Congress holds 114 seats while the BJP has 109. The BSP has two seats, the SP one with Independents accounting for four seats.