Jyotiraditya Scindia resigns from Congress, latter says it expelled him for ‘anti-party activities’
In his resignation letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Mr. Scindia said that he had been in the party for the past 18 years. But, he said, he is unable to serve the people of his state and the country by staying in the party any more.
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia resigned from primary membership of the party amid the political crisis in Madhya Pradesh.
In his resignation letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Mr. Scindia said that he had been in the party for the past 18 years. But, he said, he is unable to serve the people of his state and the country by staying in the party any more.
“Having been a primary member of the Congress Party for the last 18 years. it is now time for me to move on. I am tendering my resignation from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress and as you well know this is a path that has been drawing itself out over the last year,” said Scindia in his resignation letter submitted to Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Scindia met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
What Cong says on expulsion
On the other hand, the Congress said that Mr Scindia has been expelled from the party for his anti-party activities.
“Congress President has approved the expulsion of Jyotiraditya Scindia from the Indian National Congress with immediate effect for anti-party activities,” read a statement issued by KC Venugopal, General Secretary, All India Congress Committee (AICC).
Kamal Nath govt stares at downfall
The Kamal Nath-led Congress government in Madhya Pradesh appears to have slipped into minority as 21 Congress MLAs, including six ministers, sent in their resignations shortly after Mr Scindia walked out of the party. 19 MLAs sent their resignation letters to Raj Bhavan while Bisahulal Singh and Edal Singh Kansana submitted their resignation letters to the Assembly speaker.
The actual strength of the Madhya Pradesh assembly is 230. With two seats vacant, the effective strength is 228.
However, with the resignation of the 21 MLAs, the strength of the Assembly will be 207 and the magic number required to prove majority will be 104. The Congress had 114 MLAs of its own but the resignations bring down its tally in the Assembly to 93. The party is also supported by two legislators of the BSP, one of the SP and four Independents. The BJP has 107 MLAs in the assembly.