Congress Govt tottering in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal, March 10 (IANS) Numbers continue to be the key topic of political discussion in Madhya Pradesh after Jyotiraditya Scindia's resignation from the Congress, 18 years after he first joined it.

It is a matter of time before the Kamal Nath-led Congress gets the marching orders. The odds that were stacked against the BJP till a week ago now overwhelmingly are in its favour. With the resignation of 19 MLAs from the assembly, the Congress is reduced to minority in the state.

MLAs and ministers supporting Scindia have sent their resignations to State Assembly Speaker on Tuesday. The Congress which was claiming to get some BJP MLAs into its fold may have to revise its numbers downwards. There were claims of seven members switching sides.

The BJP prepared to hold a meeting of the legislators in festive mood of Holi on Tuesday. But with some legislators failing to reach Bhopal it has been rescheduled to 4 p.m. The morning meeting was confined to state party chief V.D. Sharma, leader of the Opposition Gopal Bhargava and former chief minister Shivaj Singh Chouhan who may take the mantle from Bhargava.

How is the likely party position going to be after 19 MLAs supporting Scindia quit the Assembly? They will have to do so to escape disqualification while voting against the Congress candidates in Rajya Sabha elections.

Current scenario
Total strength: 228 (+ two vacancies)
Magic mark: 115
Congress: 114
BJP: 107

BSP: 01 (+ 1 suspended MLA)
SP: 01
Independents: 04

Revised figures after 19 Congress MLAs quit party
Total strength 209
Magic mark: 104
BJP: 107
Cong: 95
Independents: 4
SP: 1 and
BSP 1+1