The MLAs of the Congress-led government in Madhya Pradesh are expected to meet on Wednesday, for the third time in 11 days, to ensure that the flock stays together in the wake of events in Karnataka and Goa.
Sources said Chief Minister Kamal Nath is set to meet his MLAs, as well as those from the allies — the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party — and Independents over dinner to ensure that they remain united during the division (voting) on financial matters when the monsoon session of the Assembly resumes on Wednesday.
Such meetings have been held earlier on July 7 and July 11, the latter being attended by senior leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, as well, sources said.
“Yes, I have also been invited to the meeting on July 17 at the CM’s house. I am with the Congress and fully support Kamal Nath ji,” BSP MLA Ram Bai said on Sunday.
Leader of the Opposition Gopal Bhargava and State BJP chief Rakesh Singh, at a meeting on July 8, had already asked all its MLAs to be present in the House, a party leader said.
Mr. Bhargava had, in May, written a letter to the MP Governor requesting a special session for floor test of the government.
BJP sweep
This was shortly after the BJP swept the Lok Sabha polls, winning 28 of the 29 seats in the State.
He had said at the time that the BJP would seek division on financial matters.
The Congress has 114 MLAs in the 230-member House against the BJP’s 109 (one having resigned after winning the LS polls).
The Kamal Nath government is supported by two MLAs of the BSP and one from the SP. The House has four Independent MLAs.
