Madhya Pradesh Political Crisis Updates: Jyotiraditya Scindia named BJP's RS candidate for MP; Youth Congress protests against MLAs' resignations

Ex-Congress leader says 10,000 office bearers quit party after Scindia

After Jyotiraditya Scindia quit the Congress, around 10,000 of its office-bearers have resigned from the party in Madhya Pradesh and several more are likely to do so, a former leader party was quoted as saying by PTI.

The ruling Congress, however, refuted this claim and said the supporters of Scindia were creating pressure on other leaders to leave the party.

Rajasthan minister says Scindia’s exit is loss for Congress

Rajasthan minister Vishwendra Singh said that Jyotiraditya Scindia’s resignation from the Congress is a loss for the party and a “gain for the other party”.

Told Scindia not to leave party, says Mallikarjun Kharge

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that he had spoken to Jyotiraditya Scindia before he quit the party.

“He is young and a good orator. The party is built on an ideology and all the members believing in this ideology should make the party strong,” Kharge said.

“I told him that personal gains and losses are in everyone’s life. You (Scindia) have been MP for four terms and held many posts, that’s why it is not right to leave. Still, he didn’t listen to anyone and left the party by putting his grievances forward,” Kharge said.

Mallikarjun Kharge on Jyotiraditya Scindia: I felt bad that he left Congress. 3 days back I held talks with him&told him that there is no need to leave the party. He is young&a good orator. Party is built on an ideology&all believing in this ideology should make party strong. pic.twitter.com/JNuViOUKLF

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2020

Youth Congress protests against MP situation 

Members of the Indian Youth Congress on Wednesday held a protest against the BJP in Delhi and alleged that it was trying to horse-trade Congress MLAs in Madhya Pradesh in a bid to topple the Kamal Nath-led state government. The protesters commenced the march from the IYC office in Raisina Road, PTI reported.

NCP says waiting to see what happens in MP

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, who is the Congress’ alliance partner in the Maharashtra government, said that “people have faith in the abilities” of Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath. Kamal Nath’s government is facing a threat to its majority after 22 MLAs of the party resigned from the Assembly on Tuesday.

The MLAs’ move came after former Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia quit the party on Tuesday, and the legislators are reportedly loyalists of Scindia.

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar: We are waiting to see what happens in #MadhyaPradesh. People have faith in Kamal Nath Ji's abilities. pic.twitter.com/rvkcRzSsdN

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2020

BJP announces Rajya Sabha candidates

The BJP on Wednesday announced the names of the party’s candidates for the upcoming election to the Rajya Sabha. RPI’s Ramdas Athawale, including Jyotiraditya Scindia, is among the party’s candidates.

BJP announces the names of party's candidates for the upcoming election to the Rajya Sabha. https://t.co/sQItPuDotq pic.twitter.com/FAjziadv2Q

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2020

Rahul Gandhi retweets picture with Scindia, Kamal Nath

Rahul Gandhi, in his first reaction to the resignation of former Congress leader and his close confidant Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Wednesday retweeted a picture of himself with Scindia and Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath from December 2018, when the party had won a majority in the state’s Assembly polls.

The original tweet carried a quoted by Leo Tolstoy as saying, “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.”

The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.

- Leo Tolstoy pic.twitter.com/MiRq2IlrIg

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 13, 2018

Collectors of five MP districts transferred

The district collectors of five districts in Madhya Pradesh, namely Guna, Gwalior, Neemuch, Vidisha, and Harda were transferred on Wednesday, ANI reported.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan congratulates Scindia on RS candidature

Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan congratulated newly-inducted Jyotiraditya Scindia for being chosen as a candidate of the BJP for the upcoming Rajya Sabha.

He said, “I congratulate Jyotiraditya Scindia and Harsh Singh Chauhan on being named Rajya Sabha candidates from Madhya Pradesh.”

Please don’t support religious bigotry, Sanjay Jha tells Scindia

Wishing Jyotiraditya Scindia luck after he was inducted into the BJP on Wednesday, Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha said that, “One kind request; please do not support religious bigotry and communal pyrotechnics.”

Dear @JM_Scindia :I saw your first presser as a #BJP leader. It felt odd seeing you with the saffron party scarf.

You are a hugely talented asset & have a great career ahead. One kind request; please do not support religious bigotry and communal pyrotechnics. Thanks!
Good luck!

— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) March 11, 2020

Scindia could walk into my house anytime: Rahul Gandhi

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in a first reaction to the resignation of his reportedly close confidant Jyotiraditya Scindia, addressed claims that Scindia had sought a meeting with Rahul before quitting the party on Tuesday, but Rahul wasn’t able to make time to meet him.

Rahul was quoted by reports as saying, “Scindia is the only man who could walk into my house anytime, he was with me in college.”

Yashodhara Scindia says family was divided before Jyotiraditya joined BJP

BJP leader Yashodhara Scindia, who congratulated her nephew Jyotiraditya for joining the BJP on Wednesday, said that his inclusion into the saffron party will also iron over “small differences” between the Scindia family. Of the prominent members of the family who are in politics, Yashodhara and her sister Vasundhara Raje Scindia have been part of the BJP, while Jyotiraditya followed his father Madhavrao into the Congress.

Yashodhara said, “It’s natural that if you have political differences it seeps into the family too. This step has made all small issues of differences go away. We’re on one stage now. The arrival of my nephew (in BJP) will provide even more strength to prime minister Modi in politics at the Centre.”

Kailash Vijayvargiya meets BJP Madhya Pradesh MLAs

BJP leaders Kailash Vijayvargiya, Narendra Tomar, and Anil Jain have reached the hotel in Gurugram to meet the BJP MLAs from Madhya Pradesh, India Today reported.

Scindia named as BJP RS candidate, reports NDTV

Jyotiraditya Scindia has been named as the BJP’s candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha election,  NDTV reported, amid speculation that the saffron party will give him a ticket soon after inducting him into the party on Wednesday.

According to reports, Scindia’s decision to resign from the Congress was finalised after the party leadership dithered on naming him as a candidate for the election to the Upper House.

We’ll have good aunt-nephew combination: Yashodhara Scindia

BJP leader Yashodhara Raje Scindia, aunt of Jyotiraditya who joined the saffron party after quitting the Congress on Wednesday, welcomed her nephew to the party and expressed confidence that the party will form the state government again under former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Yashodhara Scindia, BJP: Very happy today. Govt will be formed under SS Chouhan's leadership. We're happy as I've worked under him&I know what wonderful schemes we had for people & today we don't have those. Best wishes to my nephew, hope we'll have a good aunt-nephew combination pic.twitter.com/1qKmhoD77g

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2020

DK Shivakumar appointed as Karnataka PCC chief

The Congress on Wednesday issued a notification regarding the appointment of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president. The party has named senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar as the president, and also appointed three working presidents for the KPCC.

INC COMMUNIQUE

Important Notification regarding appointment of PCC President and Working Presidents for Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. pic.twitter.com/txkxdUWtwJ

— INC Sandesh (@INCSandesh) March 11, 2020

I’ll always support Scindia, says MP Congress MLA

Imarti Devi, one of the 22 Congress MLAs who resigned from the Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Tuesday after Jyotiraditya Scindia, said that she will support the former Congress leader in everything he does. He was inducted into the BJP on Wednesday.

She was quoted by ANI as saying, “All 22 MLAs are here (in Bengaluru) on their own will. We’re happy Scindia ji has taken this decision. I’ll always stay with him even if I had to jump in a well. When we were in Congress, Kamal Nath ji never heard us.”

Imarti Devi, recently resigned Congress MLA from Madhya Pradesh: All 22 MLAs are here (in Bengaluru) on their own will. We're happy Scindia ji has taken this decision. I'll always stay with him even if I had to jump in a well. When we were in Congress,Kamal Nath ji never heard us pic.twitter.com/rz8hqIJSgj

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2020

Congress MLAs reach Jaipur

The Madhya Pradesh Congress MLAs, 22 of whom tendered their resignations from the state Assembly on Tuesday, have reached Jaipur on Wednesday afternoon, ANI reported. Their resignations had been submitted hours after former Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia quit the party in a letter to party president Sonia Gandhi.

On Wednesday, Scindia was inducted into the BJP.

Rajasthan: #MadhyaPradesh Congress MLAs reach Jaipur. pic.twitter.com/r13chp40iy

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2020

Top BJP leadership decided to back Scindia’s rebellion at JP Nadda’s son’s wedding

The decision of the BJP to back Jyotiraditya Scindia’s rebellion within the Congress saw its beginnings at the wedding reception of BJP chief JP Nadda’s son’s wedding reception, NDTV reported.

At the reception, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan  briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party seniors of the revolt brewing in the Congress, the report claimed. Three days later, Amit Shah gave approval, clearing the decks for Scindia’s entry into the BJP.

Scindia likely to get Rajya Sabha berth

BJP is likely to name Jyotiraditya Scindia as one of its candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh, CNN-News18 reported. Following his induction into the party, JP Nadda said that the former Congress leader will be given a “prominent position” in the party.

The report also said that BJP leader Harsh Chauhan will also be announced as the BJP’s candidate.

Good to be on the same team: Vasundhara Raje after Jyotiraditya joins BJP

Rajasthan BJP leader Vasundhara Raje welcomed Jyotiraditya Scindia welcomed her nephew to the BJP, adding that “it’s good to be on the same team”. She also wrote that she admires the former Congress leader’s “strength of character and courage”.

If Rajmata Sahab was here today, she would be elated to see you put the #NationFirst.

I admire your strength of character and courage. It’s good to be on the same team.

Welcome to the BJP.@JM_Scindia pic.twitter.com/O1BU80R5By

— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) March 11, 2020

Entire Scindia family with BJP now: Shivraj Singh Chouhan welcomes Jyotiraditya

After the induction of Jyotiraditya Scindia into the BJP, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the entire Gwalior royal family is with the BJP now.

“Jyotiraditya is a young, energetic leader and comes from a line of leaders who consider politics a medium to serve the people. 18 months ago, the Congress formed the government in MP. The Kamal Nath government destroyed the state and did not fulfil promises. The government made new records of corruption and stopped welfare schemes of the BJP. Jyotiraditya has chosen the BJP to serve the people and I welcome him to the party,” he said, accompanied by his aunt Yashodhara Raje Scindia.

Farmers, women, youth in distress in MP: Scindia

After joining the BJP ,Jyotiraditya Scindia said that in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress formed the government in 2018 with many dreams. “But in 18 months, those dreams have been destroyed,” he said.

He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi a mandate twice like no other and that India’s future seems safe in his hands.

Congress not the party it was earlier: Scindia

After being inducted into the BJP, Jyotiraditya Scindia said that among the few days that changed his life forever are the days when his father passed and yesterday, when he chose “a new path for his life”. “The Congress party is not anymore the party that it was earlier,” he said.

Scindia said that fulfilling his motto of serving the people is “is no longer possible in Congress party”. “Farm loans that were supposed to be waived by the Congress government within a week of coming to power has not been fulfilled even after 18 months of the government,” he said.

JP Nadda promises prominent role to Scindia, welcome him to BJP

Remembering Jyotiraditya Scindia’s grandmother Vijaya Raje Scindia’s contribution in the formation of the Jana Sangh and BJP, JP Nadda welcomed the former Congress leader to the saffron party.

“BJP is a very democratic party and everyone has a say. I want to assure you that you will be given a prominent role with us,” Nadda told Scindia. “I hope that Scindia will also get an opportunity to participate in all the activities of the party and see to it that the BJP becomes the rightful instrument in changing the destiny of the country.” he added.

Scindia joins BJP

BJP chief JP Nadda inducts Jyotiraditya Scindia in the saffron party.

Scindia reaches BJP HQ

Jyotiraditya Scindia has reached the BJP headquarters and will be inducted shortly. Apart from party chief JP Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to attend the ceremony too.

The time of the ceremony was shifted from 12.30 pm to 2 pm in view of Rahu Kaal.

Scindia should have left the party earlier: Gehlot

Arriving at the Jaipur airport to receive the Madhya Pradesh Congress MLAs, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that opportunists like the Guna MP should have left the party much earlier. “Congress party gave him so much for 18 years. Mauka aane pe maukaparasti dikhai hai (He acted opportunistic when the time came). People will teach him a lesson,” he said.

Slamming the horse-trading attempts in MAdhya Pradesh, Gehlot said that democracy is being murdered by the BJP.

Scindia leaves for BJP headquarters

Jyotiraditya Scindia left for the BJP headquarters from his residence. He was accompanied by saffron party leader Zafar Islam. He will be inducted into the party in the presence of party chief JP Nadda and other senior leaders.

13 of 22 rebel Cong MLAs say they won’t quit Cong: Digvijaya Singh

Thirteen of the 22 rebel MLAs in Madhya Pradesh have given an assurance that “they are not leaving the Congress”, senior party leader Digvijaya Singh said, while expressing confidence that the Kamal Nath-led government in the state will win a floor test. “We are not keeping quiet. We are not sleeping,” Singh told PTI. 

Scindia was offered the post of Madhya Pradesh deputy chief minister but wanted his nominee, Singh said. However, Kamal Nath refused to accept a chela, he said. Scindia, he said, could have been a Congress nominee to the Rajya Sabha but “only Modi-Shah” can give a Cabinet post to the “over-ambitious” leader.

Singh further said that the 22 Cong MLAs went to Bengaluru to pressure the leadership to nominate Scindia for Rajya Sabha, but with no intention to quit the Congress or join BJP. He further said that the party did not anticipate Scindia’s exit, which was engineered after Shivraj Singh Chouhan failed to topple the Congress government in the state. He also alleged that the rebel MLAs were offered huge sums of money to resign from the Congress.

Posters of Scindia, Modi, Shah in Bhind

Ahead of Jyotiraditya Scindia joining the BJP, posters of him along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have been put up in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind.

Madhya Pradesh: Posters of Jyotiraditya Scindia with Prime Minister Narendra Modi & Union Home Minister Amit Shah, put up in Bhind. pic.twitter.com/QstJLbQePg

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2020

BJP’s Zafar Islam reaches Scindia’s residence

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Zafar Islam reached former Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia’s residence in Delhi. Scindia is likely to join the BJP at 2 pm at the party headquarters in the presence of JP Nadda.

Leaders come and go, Congress can’t be destroyed: DK Shivakumar

Speaking about the political crisis in Madhya Pradesh, senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar said that all the MLAs at the Bengaluru resort would not want to lose their party membership. “No one can destroy the Congress. Leaders may come, leaders may go, that doesn’t make any difference. I am sure they will understand, go back and save the government,” he said.

MP Speaker to summon rebel MLAs

Madhya Pradesh Speaker NP Prajapati told India Today that he will summon all rebel Congress MLAs who sent on their resignations.

Apart from Jyotiraditya Scindia, 22 MLAs have resigned from the Congress in Madhya Pradesh.

Scindia likely to join BJP at 2 pm

A day after tendering his resignation from the Congress, Jyotiraditya Scindia is likely to join the BJP at 2 pm at the party’s Ashoka Road headquarters. He was earlier supposed to join the saffron party at 12.30 pm.

Scindia loyalist rescinds resignation

The state unit president of Congress Sewa Dal Satyendra Yadav, a Jyotiraditya Scindia loyalist, rescinded his resignation from the primary membership of the party. He also urged party workers to come together in the phase of struggle.

Here is the list of ministers and MLAs who have resigned so far:

Ministers: Tulsi Silawat, Govind Singh Rajput, Dr Prabhuram Choudhry, Imarti Devi, Pradyumna Singh Tomar and Mahendra Singh Sisodia.

MLAs: 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, Manoj Chaudhary.

आपका आदेश और पार्टी हित को सर्वोपरि मानते हुए अपना त्यागपत्र वापस लेता हूँ , साथ ही अपने सभी साथियों से निवेदन करता हूँ कि संघर्ष के इस दौर मैं एकजुट होकर काम मैं लगे रहें । https://t.co/FyDb4xV4a4

— Satyendra Yadav (@satyacong) March 10, 2020

Scindia has fallen into BJP’s trap: Puducherry CM

In the wake of the ongoing political crisis in Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said that Bharatiya Janata Party is using Jyotiraditya Scindia to usurp power in the state and that the former Congress leader has “fallen into the trap”.

“BJP is enacting the strategy the way they did in Karnataka. He (Scindia) will realise the blunder very shortly. BJP after using Scindia will throw him out. I am confident Kamal Nath prove majority,” he tweeted.

#BJP is enacting the strategy the way they did in #Karnataka . It is murder of democracy #JyotiradityaScindia has fallen into the trap. He will realise the himalayan blunder very shortly. BJP after using #Scindia will through him out. I am confident Shri Kamalnath prove majority.

— V.Narayanasamy (@VNarayanasami) March 11, 2020

10 rebel MLAs, 2 ministers not ready to join BJP, claims report

Ten rebel Madhya Pradesh Congress MLAs and two ministers in the Kamal Nath government are not ready to join the BJP, sources told CNN-News18, adding that they came to Bengaluru on Jyotiraditya Scindia’s direction and not to join the saffron party.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Sajjan Singh Vermatold ANI that none of the 19 rebel MLAs are ready to go with Scindia. He added that most of them are not ready to join the BJP and were misled and taken to Bengaluru.

Congress workers protest outside Bengaluru resort; police install barricades

Congress party workers who staged a protest against the BJP outside the Prestige Golfshire Resort, where 19 rebel MLAs were housed, were detained by the Bengaluru police.

Additionally, the Bengaluru Police has put up more barricades outside the resort, India Today reported.

Karnataka: Youth Congress workers protest outside Prestige Golfshire in Bengaluru, where 19 Madhya Pradesh Congress MLAs, who tendered their resignations yesterday are staying. pic.twitter.com/FyH1BEYZnF

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2020