Daijiworld Media Network - Bhopal (SHP)
Bhopal, Mar 11: Following Scindia's exist, BJP is keen on a dramatic turnaround with the party moving closer to power in Madhya Pradesh. However, at a meeting on Tuesday evening, differences emerged between two state leaders. The publicized exit of Scindia from Congress, along with 21 MLAs, meant that BJP could very well topple the 15-month-old Congress government of Kamal Nath.
According to sources, slogans in support of Mishra were chanted on Tuesday and questions were raised over the role of Chouhan over the unrest in the Congress government.
Both the BJP leaders have repeatedly denied any role in the current situation, claiming that it merely reflected Congress's internal problems.
In a report by NDTV, Narottam Mishra and Shivraj Singh Chouhan were said to be involved in a plot to topple the Madhya Pradesh government. The operation was titled 'Rangpanchami' because the government was to be toppled on Holi.
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh had hit out, saying: "I have never made allegations (but) Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Narottam Mishra both had a dispute over who will be chief minister. Now it has been decided one will be chief minister, other the deputy".
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has served three previous terms as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, has been tipped to return should the BJP succeed in toppling the Congress.
With the news of the alleged plot revealed, some of the MLAs have expressed disappointment. Over 10 of these MLAs, including two ministers, have displayed an unwillingness to join the BJP - and were ready to re-join the Congress. On the other hand, Scindia joined the BJP on Wednesday in the presence of JP Nadda and other senior party leaders in Delhi.
According to sources, the MLAs said they had only shifted to Bengaluru in Karnataka to show support for Jyotiraditya Scindia, who today joined the BJP and is likely to get a Rajya Sabha post and a central ministry berth, which was not given to him by the Congress.
On Holi, the Kamal Nath government in the state was shocked by the resignation of four-time MP Jyotiraditya Scindia, who wrote to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, speaking of a "fresh start" and saying: "...this is a path that has been drawing itself out over the last year".
Reports suggested that following his resignation, the Congress expelled him minutes later. Scindia who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah shortly before was believed to be majorly disappointed with senior Congress leaders.
Over 21 other MLAs resigned with Scindia, leaving the Kamal Nath government, which began Tuesday with 120 MLAs - four above the majority mark - near collapse. Should their resignations be accepted it will leave the government in a minority.
Meanwhile, chief minister Kamal Nath is optimistic of his government proving its majority and completing the term.
The Congress has denied Scindia's perceived diminished say in party matters that led to his revolt. Senior party leader and former chief minister Digvijaya Singh said 'he was not at all sidelined' and being facetious wished Scindia well 'under ModiShah tutelage'.