Chief Minister Kamal Nath indicated that he is fighting back with plans for a cabinet rejig.
Former Union Minister and four-time parliamentarian Jyotiraditya Scindia resigned from the Congress today plunging the 15-month-old Kamal Nath government into crisis. Mr Scindia sent his resignation to Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi shortly after he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter's residence. Sources have said Mr Scindia may join the BJP, either today or on Saturday, and be nominated to the Rajya Sabha as its member. Mr Scindia's move, which comes a day after 17 Congress MLAs loyal to him were flown by chartered plane to BJP-ruled Karnataka, has left the Madhya Pradesh government on the brink a dramatic collapse.
Sources within the Madhya Pradesh Raj Bhavan have said 21 Congress MLAs have already submitted letters of resignation. Sources had earlier said that 25 MLAs were ready to resign.
A meeting of the BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) was held at the party headquarters in Delhi today to decide the candidates for the Rajya Sabha biennial elections. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief JP Nadda and other members of the CEC.
"We have nothing to do with this. This is Congress' internal matter and I would not like to comment on it. We had said on the first day that we are not interested in bringing down the government," senior BJP leader and former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.
The BJP has called its MLAs to Bhopal for a show of strength today evening. Sources said Shivraj Singh Chouhan could be chosen the leader of the legislative party in the meeting.
As of today morning the Kamal Nath government had 120 MLAs - just four over the majority mark of 116 in the 230-member assembly.
Here are the Live Updates on developments in Madhya Pradesh government crisis:
Madhya Pradesh minister Sajjan Singh Verma, a confidant of Chief Minister Kamal Nath, will fly to Bengaluru on Tuesday night and try to woo back the Congress MLAs who are staying there, sources said.
Also Congress sources say the son of a top BJP leader in Karnataka is looking after the stay of Congress MLAs in Bengaluru.
Congress leaders Mukul Wasnik, Harish Rawat and Deepak Babaria left for Bhopal. They will reach Bhopal late night today.
Nothing to worry about: Kamal Nath
Jyotiraditya Scindia was offered Rajya Sabha seat: Digvijaya Singh
"What has Congress not given to Jyotiraditya Scindia. He was offered a Rajya Sabha seat. Also the families of the MLAs who have quit are in touch with us. State Chief Minister Kamal Nath will not resign and we will take the floor test," Mr Singh said.
BJP legislative party meeting underway in BhopalA BJP legislative party meeting is underway at the party office today.
Union Minister and MP from Damoh, Prahlad Patel, and other senior leaders of the party are also present in the meeting.
Earlier, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly Gopal Bhargava, Narottam Mishra, and other BJP leaders reached the residence of Speaker NP Prajapati to submit the resignations of 19 Congress MLAs.
Keeping tabs on MP developments, will take decision after reaching Raj Bhavan: Guv Lalji TandonOn a day when Jyotiraditya Scindia quit the Congress and 21 MLAs close to him resigned from the Madhya Pradesh assembly, Governor Lalji Tandon said he is keeping tabs on political developments and will take a decision only after reaching the Raj Bhavan in Bhopal.
When asked whether the Governor House (Raj Bhavan) is keeping tabs on the prevailing situation in Madhya Pradesh, he said, "Yes, yes definitely. Whatever decision I have to take, I will do so once I reach the Raj Bhavan."
"At present, I am a spectator. Once I return there, only then can I make any comment after seeing all things, letters in which people have made some complaints," Mr Tandon said responding to when will he call any party to prove majority in the House.
Madhya Pradesh Congress meet underwayAmid the crisis caused by resignations of 22 legislators, meeting of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) in Madhya Pradesh began on Tuesday evening.
Those who resigned have backstabbed Congress, says MP legislatorMadhya Pradesh Congress legislator Kunal Chaudhary said that those who resigned have betrayed the party.
"The Congress, which has worked to waive off the loans of farmers, has been betrayed and backstabbed. They have betrayed the party workers who have slogged for past 15 years for the development of Madhya Pradesh," Mr Chaudhary told news agency ANI.
He, however, was confident of Congress' position in the state government. "We have several options and are confident that more people will join our party," he said.
You'll get to see Kamal Nath's masterstroke, says MP Congress leader PC Sharma Exuding confidence that the Congress party-led Madhya Pradesh government will survive the latest political crisis, the party leader PC Sharma said that people will get to see Kamal Nath's masterstroke.
"Certainly a new thing will come up. You will get to see Kamal Nath's masterstroke," Mr Sharma said when asked if they have the numbers to retain the government in the state.
Ex-Congress Leader Pradyot Deb Barman on Jyotiraditya Scindia quitting party "Jyotiraditya Scindia quit the party, he chose what was best for him. I'm more worried about the future of the Congress party. If Rahul Gandhi does not believe in supporting us, why did he bring us," Ex-Congress Leader Pradyot Deb Barman.
Soon there will be only Rahul, Sonia in Cong, says Shahnawaz HussainBJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said that soon the day will come when Congress will have only two leaders -- Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
"How many leaders are they going to expel? If they continue expelling their leaders like this, soon the day will come when only Sonia and Rahul Gandhi will be left in the Congress," Mr Hussain told news agency ANI.
"Congress is treating Sachin Pilot the same way they had treated Jyotiraditya Scindia. Congress does not include Pilot's photos even in their hoardings. Supporters and youth leaders of their party are unsure of their future under Congress' top leadership," he said.
Meeting of BJP Central Election Committee begins at party headquarters in Delhi
Jyotiraditya Scindia expected to be formerly inducted into BJP
"Once Amit Shah reaches the BJP headquarters, the entire process to inducting Jyotiraditya Scindia into the party will begin. The Prime Minister likely to come little late and the Central Election Committee meeting will begin," sources to NDTV.
Congress' youth wing chief thanks Sonia Gandhi for expelling Jyotiraditya ScindiaIndian Youth Congress (IYC) chief Srinivas BV slammed Jyotiraditya Scindia, who has announced his resignation from the primary membership of the Congress, and thanked party chief Sonia Gandhi for expelling the former Guna MP "who was promoting anti-party activities and factionalism".
"The history of 1857 and 1967 was once again repeated," Srinivas BV said, referring to the 1857 Revolt against East India Company and the role of the Mr Scindia royals back then as well as Vijayaraje Scindia's switch from the Congress to the Jana Sangh in 1967.
"I would like to thank Congress president Sonia Gandhiji for taking the strong steps to expel the leader who was promoting anti-party activities and factionalism," the IYC chief said.
"No person is, nor will be greater than the party," he added.
21 MLAs sent resignations to MP governorTwenty-one Madhya Pradesh Congress MLAs including ministers belonging to the Jyotiraditya Scindia camp have resigned so far.
Ministers: Tulsi Silawat, Govind Singh Rajput, Dr Prabhuram Choudhry, Imarti Devi, Pradyumna Singh Tomar and Mahendra Singh Sisodia.
Other MLAs who have resigned: Hardeep Singh Dang, Rajyavardhan Singh, Brajendra Singh Yadav, Jaspal Jajji, Suresh Dhakad, Jaswant Jatav, Santram Sironia, Munnalal Goyal, Ranveer Singh Jatav, OPS Bhadoria, Kamlesh Jatav, Giriraj Dandotiya, Raghuraj Kansana, Aidalsingh Kansana, Biasahulal Singh.
State Congress spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi, a close confidant of Mr Scindia, resigned from the party's primary membership soon after Scindia announced that he was quitting the party.
No Politics In Meeting SP and BSP MLAs: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
More Congress MLAs In Madhya Pradesh Will Leave Party Soon, Says Bisahulal Sahu After Joining BJP
"Joining hands with BJP in a time of national crisis speaks volumes about a leaders self-indulgent political ambitions. Especially when the BJP ruining the economy, democratic institutions, social fabric and as well the Judiciary. Mr Scindia has betrayed the trust of the people as well as the ideology. Such people proves they can't thrive without power. Sooner they leave the better," tweets Rajasthan Chief minister Ashok Gehlot.
Yashodhara Raje hails nephew Jyotiraditya's move
Jyotiraditya Scindia's paternal aunt and BJP MLA from Madhya Pradesh, Yashodhara Raje Scindia, welcomed her nephew's decision, calling it in the "interest of the nation". "Rajmata's blood took the decision in the nationalinterest, the new country will be created, now every distancehas ended. @jyotiraditya, I warmly welcome the bold move toleave the Congress," she tweeted.
Yashodhara Raje is younger sister of Jyotiraditya's father late Madhavrao Scindia. She had served as a minister for Sports in theprevious BJP government headed by Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Jyotiraditya's grandmother and Yashodhara Raje'smother Vijayaraje Scindia, popularly known as 'Rajmata', was aBJP stalwart.
Jyotiraditya Scindia leaves his residence. He says the reason of his resignation has been mentioned in his letter to party.
Madhya Pradesh Crisis: How The Numbers Stack Up
The Congress in Madhya Pradesh is in deep trouble after 17 MLAs loyal to Jyotiraditya Scindia were flown to BJP-ruled Karnataka on Monday. Mr Scindia also resigned from the Congress. A total of 19 MLAs have sent resignation letters to the Raj Bhavan, sources have said."
Nineteen Congress MLAs with their resignation letters
14 Congress MLAs send resignation letters to Raj Bhavan: Sources
14 Congress MLAs have sent their resignations, two of them have sent resignation via email, say sources in Raj Bhavan.
In case of the resignation by 20 MLAs, the number ofthe Congress legislators in the 230-member House will comedown to 94 from the current 114. The current effective strength of the House is 228with two seats vacant.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi has approved the expulsion of Jyotiraditya Scindia with immediate effect for anti-party activities.
"It's time for me to move on": Jyotiraditya Scindia in resignation letter to Sonia Gandhi
Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh, Jitu Patwari, Bala Bachchan, Sajjan Singh Verma, Surendra Singh Baghel and others arrive at Chief Minister Kamal Nath's residence in Bhopal, reports news agency ANI.
Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia leave from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence
Jyotiraditya Scindia is heartily welcome in BJP: Narottam Mishra
BJP leader Narottam Mishra said that everyone including senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia was "heartily welcome" in the BJP.
"Everyone is heartily welcome in Bharatiya Janata Party. We induct even grassroot-level workers, Scindia ji is a very big leader, he is definitely welcome," Mr Mishra told media on being asked if BJP will welcome Jyotiraditya Scindia into its fold.
Congress leadership making hectic efforts to bring back Jyotiraditya Scindia
In Delhi, sources said hectic efforts were underway by the Congress leadership to save the party's government in Madhya Pradesh, and placate Mr Scindia who has long been at daggers drawn with Kamal Nath over leadership issues. The party high command is sending emissaries, including Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot to Scindia in order to win him back. But the efforts have not borne any fruit yet, they said. Mr Pilot tried reaching out to Mr Scindia, but failed. The disgruntled Scindia did not respond to his message, news agency PTI reported quoting its sources.
20 Congress MLAs to send their resignation by today evening, say sources.
"Anyone who is a true Congressman will not leave party," says Congress leader Digvijaya Singh as reports emerge that Jyotiraditya Scindia met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Jyotiraditya Scindia, accompanied by Amit Shah, meets PM Modi. Mr Scindia is likely to join the BJP later this evening, sources say.
Jyotiraditya Scindia leaves his residence. The senior Congress leader has been incommunicado since he rebelled against his party last evening. 17 MLAs loyal to Mr Scindia are camping in Bengaluru.
Not interested in toppling government : Shivraj Singh Chouhan
BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the ongoing political crisis in Madhya Pradesh is the internal matter of the Congress party and BJP is not at all interested in toppling the government.
When asked about the political crisis in the state, Mr Chouhan said, "We have nothing to do with this. This is Congress'' internal matter and I would not like to comment on it. We had said on the first day that we are not interested in bringing down the government."
BJP leader Narottam Mishra on being asked if BJP will welcome Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia into the party: Everyone is heartily welcome in Bharatiya Janata Party. We induct even grassroot-level workers, Scindia ji is a very big leader, he is definitely welcome.
How the numbers stack up in Madhya Pradesh
Currently, there are 228 MLAs in the 230-member Madhya Pradesh assembly (election in seats of two sitting MLAs has not taken place yet).
A party needs to have 115 seats to form government in the state.
The Congress is one short of the majority mark (currently it has 114 seats) but it is supported by one Samajwadi Party MLA and two legislators of the Bahujan Samaj Party.
But if the 17 MLAs resign, the majority mark in the assembly will come down to 106, paving way for the BJP (which has 107 MLAs) to stake claim of the government.
BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan is on his way to Bhopal.
Digvijaya Singh on why Jyotiraditya Scindia is unreachable
The Congress is unable to reach senior party Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is at the centre of political trouble brewing in Madhya Pradesh for the 15-month-old Kamal Nath government, because he has "swine flu", MP Digvijaya Singh told reporters last night. "We tried to contact Scindia Ji (Jyotiraditya Scindia) but it is being said that he is suffering from swine flu, so haven't been able to speak to him," Mr Singh said.
"Whoever will try to disrespect the voter's mandate in Madhya Pradesh, will get a befitting reply from the people in the state... For me, all is well," the 73-year-old former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister added on the current politcial situation in the state.
"Jo sahi Congressi hai... wo Congress me rahega (Whoever is a righteous party member, will continue to stick around)," he added
Senior leaders of Madhya Pradesh BJP -- including former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and its MP from Morena, Narendra Singh Tomar -- meanwhile attended a meeting at Union minister Amit Shah's home. The BJP has called its MLAs to Bhopal for a show of strength today evening. Sources said Shivraj Singh Chouhan could be chosen the leader of the legislative party in the meeting.
The Congress is making all attempts to negotiate a compromise with Mr Scindia, once close to the Gandhis but a solution seems increasingly unlikely. Senior Congress leaders say the speed and determination with which Mr Scindia acted signals that this may be more than just muscle-flexing, that he is going for broke. Reports suggest that the former MP is likely to join the BJP.
Chief Minister Kamal Nath indicated that he is fighting back with plans for a cabinet rejig. After a cabinet meet late on Monday, 20 ministers resigned.
The 15-month-old Madhya Pradesh government plunged into crisis on Monday with the shock rebellion of Congress general secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia and his faction. Sources say 17 Congress MLAs -- including six ministers -- supporting Mr Scindia were flown by a chartered plane to Bengaluru in BJP-ruled Karnataka.