MP floor test: SC to hear matter today

New Delhi, Mar 18: The Supreme Court will today hear a batch of petitions seeking a directive for a trust vote to be held in Madhya Pradesh. The court had on Tuesday directed the Kamal Nath government to respond to a notice by 10.30 am today.

The side appearing for the Kamal Nath government did not show up at Supreme Court on Tuesday, following which the Supreme Court issued notices. The matter has been listed for hearing at 10.30 am tomorrow. Meanwhile 16 MLAs too have moved the court seeking a directive that their resignations are accepted.

Meanwhile, the Kamal Nath government has also moved the SC seeking the release of its MLAs. In its petition, the Congress has alleged that the BJP had kidnapped and kept in captivity 16 of its MLAs. The petition also sought the release of these MLAs immediately.

The matter will be heard by a Bench comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud and Hemant Gupta. The petition says that 22 Congress MLAs supporting the government had resigned on account of dissatisfaction. The resignations of six MLAs have already been accepted by the Speaker. This has reduced the Congress led government to a minority, the petition also stated.

The government has no moral or legal right to remain in power even for a single day. All attempts are being made by the Chief Minister to convert his minority government into a majority by giving all possible threats, the petition also stated.

Horse trading is at its peak and hence it is essential that a floor test is conducted as directed by the Governor. The floor test is necessary as it would make it absolutely clear as to whether the Chief Minister enjoys a majority on the floor of the house, the petition also stated. Any deferment of the floor test will further encourage horse trading the petition filed by former MP CM, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and others also said.