The Supreme Court on Tuesday served notice to the Madhya Pradesh state government seeking a response from Kamal Nath government by Wednesday on the plea of former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan seeking a direction to conduct an immediate floor test on the floor of the assembly. The notice was also served to the Speaker, Principal Secretary of assembly and the Governor. The matter will be listed on Wednesday at 10.30 AM.
In the plea, BJP had stated that the Congress Government in Madhya Pradesh led by Kamal Nath has “lack of confidence” and his government has been “reduced to a minority.” “It has no moral, legal, democratic or constitutional right to remain in power even for a single day. All possible attempts are being made by the Hon’ble Chief Minister to convert his minority government into the majority by giving all possible threats, allurements to the members of the Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. The horsetrading is at its peak. Therefore, it is essential that floor test is conducted on 16.3.2020 itself as already directed by Hon’ble Governor, so that it becomes absolutely clear as to whether the Hon’ble Chief Minister continues to enjoy the confidence of the majority of the Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha,” the plea stated.
Meanwhile, former CM and BJP stalwart Shivraj Singh Chauhan accused the Kamal Nath government of employing “pressure and allurement” tactics to save it from falling. Chouhan’s statement came hours after the apex court asked the state government to give by Wednesday its response to his plea seeking a direction for an immediate floor test.
On Monday, soon after the Speaker of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, NP Prajapati, adjourned the assembly in view of coronavirus outbreak, without ordering a floor test and reportedly defying the directions of Governor Lalji Tandon, BJP had moved Supreme Court against the decision.
On 16th March, Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon wrote to the Chief Minister of MP, Kamal Nath, ordering a floor test to prove majority on 17th March 2020. In a strongly worded letter, the Governor rebuked Kamal Nath and said that despite asking him to prove majority on the floor on 16th, it was not done.