SC orders floor test in MP tomorrow; numbers stacked against Kamal Nath govt

The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker to conduct a floor test on Friday that left the fate of the 15-month-old Kamal Nath government hanging by a thread after the resignation of 22 Congress MLAs.

The numbers are stacked heavily against the Congress government which teetered to a brink of collapse after the resignations of the 22 rebel MLAs stated to be supporters of Jyotiraditya Scindia, who quit the Congress in a coordinated revolt on March 10. Scindia later joined the BJP.

Observing that the state of uncertainty in MP must be "effectively resolved", the court ordered Speaker N P Prajapati to reconvene a special session with the "single agenda" before the assembly whether the Congress government continues to enjoy the confidence of the House.

Further directing that voting shall take place by "show of hands", the court said the proceedings must conclude by 5 pm.

"The proceedings before the legislative assembly shall be video-graphed and, if a provision exists for live telecast of the proceedings, this shall in addition be ensured," it
The court fixed the deadline for conclusion of the floor test and said that it "shall be concluded by 5.00 pm on March 20."